Jeremy's points are strong on two counts: 1. My understanding is that you can't patent interfaces - they are 'designs' (ref the Apple/Microsoft/Xerox 'desktop' debacle). You can patent the 'function' and the 'architecture' but the way you present that function to the user is a 'design'. (I may be wrong on this - corrections welcomed) 2. If the patent has been awarded exactly as: IM=(online awareness + buddy list + over TCP/IP protocal + messaging) then there does indeed seem to be prior art although I agree that those apps 'presented' the functionality to the user rather differently. I suspect the patent won't stand up but i am no patent lawyer. Thankfully. Ben -- Dr Ben Anderson www.essex.ac.uk/chimera +44 (0) 7710 187 806