Back to The Business of the Coca-Cola Company
The Company is the owner of numerous patents, copyrights and trade secrets, as well as substantial know-how and technology (herein collectively referred to as "technology"), which relate to its products and the processes for their production, the packages used for its products, the design and operation of various processes and equipment used in its business and certain quality assurance and financial software. Some of the technology is licensed to suppliers and other parties. The Company's soft drink and other beverage formulae are among the important trade secrets of the Company.
The Company owns numerous trademarks which are very important to its business. Depending upon the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained and they have not been found to have become generic. Registrations of trademarks can generally be renewed indefinitely as long as the trademarks are in use. The majority of the Company's trademark license agreements are included in the Company's bottler agreements. The Company has registered and licenses the right to use its trademarks in conjunction with certain merchandise other than soft drinks.