According to an article in the International Herald Tribune, a Japanese court ruled Thursday  in favor of Coca-Cola Co., which had been demanding registration for its so-called “contour bottle” since 2003, Maki Morino, spokeswoman for the company’s Japan unit, said Friday

The familiar curvaceous shape of the Coca-Cola bottle is now officially registered as a trademark in Japan — this nation’s first such recognition of a three-dimensional bottle form devoid of any lettering.

This protracted battle with the Japanese Patent Office had gone on for over 5 years after the Patent Office rejected Coca-Cola’s request and claimed that the bottle was similar to other bottles.  The Patent Office has not decided if it will appeal the decision. 

The bottle has been registered as a trademark in the U.S. since 1960, and is likewise registered in Russia, Great Britain, China and other nations, according to Coca-Cola.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/30/business/AS-FIN-COM-Japan-Coca-Cola-Bottle.php