NFL WINS LAWSUIT, MAINTAINS TRADEMARK RIGHT TO "DIRTYBIRD"

          U.S. District Court Judge Robert Vinings rejected the 
     claims of GA sports bar Owner Alan Weiss that he could
     market "DirtyBirds" merchandise "under a federal trademark
     he had applied for" in November '98, according to Rhonda
     Cook of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION.  Vinings ruled last week
     that the Falcons and the NFL are the "rightful owners" of
     the "Dirty Bird" trademark, saying that NFLP "bought it"
     from NE resident Douglas Patterson, who "used the name for
     clothing associated with a motorcycle gang."  Weiss
     "attempted to trademark the term as one word," while the
     "version the NFL bought is two words."  Vinings ruled that
     Weiss "could still display" banners with the words
     "DirtyBird" at Falcons games, as long as the signs are
     "consistent with" GA Dome rules (ATL. CONSTITUTION, 6/10).