Shanghai, Aug 19: A lawsuit filed by Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming against the Coca-Cola company was still under arbitration after the US soft drinks maker presented a settlement plan today.

"We have received Coca-Cola's settlement plan from Xuhui district court, but we are not satisfied with it," Yao Ming's lawyer Wang Xiaopeng told reporters.
Wang refused to divulge the contents of Coca-Cola's settlement plan but said the proposal was under discussion.
"The key question is that Coca-Cola should not only appease us, but they should admit fault and let the public know what they have done," Wang said.
On May 15, Yao filed a statement claiming the Coca-Cola company was using his image without permission and demanded it be removed from their products.



The NBA basketball star has also demanded a public apology and one yuan (12 cents) in compensation.



The row began when Coke released bottles in China featuring a photo of Yao and fellow Chinese national team stars Mengke Bateer and Guo Shiqiang wearing their national team shirts.



As a co-sponsor of the Chinese national team, Coke says it is authorised to use images of the squad as long as they contain pictures of at least three team members.



"If we are satisfied then we will settle out of court. Otherwise we will demand the court open the case," Wang said.



A Shanghai court has agreed to hear the case if arbitration fails.


Bureau Report