DEAR MR. FANTASY: ONLINE FIRM SUES OVER FANTASY GAME PATENT

          VA-based Fantasy Sports Properties (FSP) filed suit in
     U.S. District Court of VA against SportsLine.com Inc.,
     ESPN.com and Yahoo! Inc. for "alleged patent infringement
     related to their online fantasy sports games," according to
     Laura Randall of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, who noted that the
     suit states that FSP was "granted a patent for its fantasy
     sports concept" in April '90.  FSP -- which also names
     Sandbox Entertainment in the suit -- is "asking for an
     unspecified amount in damages."  FSP CEO Patrick Hughes said
     that his firm "attempted to negotiate a licensing pact or
     partnership" with the companies named, but "we've concluded
     those aren't going to happen."  SportsLine.com Dir of
     Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Larry Wahl
     dismissed the suit: "We don't think the lawsuit has any
     merit."  ESPN Internet Ventures Manager of Communications
     Eric Handler added that ESPN has offered online fantasy
     sports games since '95 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/3).