Yao Ming unhappy over Coke's use of image

BEIJING - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming claims the Coca-Cola Company is using his image without permission and is asking the company to remove his likeness from its products. <br> <br> The official Xinhua News Agency reported today that the complaint stems from a photo on Coke products in China of Yao, Menk Bateer of the San Antonio Spurs and Chinese basketball player Guo Shiqiang wearing Chinese national basketball team shirts. <br> <br> Yao, the first pick in last year&#39;s NBA draft, and Bateer played for China in last year&#39;s Asian Games. <br> <br> Coca-Cola spokesman Kelly Brooks says the company has the right to use the image of a group of three or more players from the team because of its three-year sponsor agreement with China&#39;s men&#39;s national basketball team. <br> <br> Yao disagrees. <br> <br> Yao faxed a statement to the news agency that said, ``I have never permitted Coca-Cola to use my image to promote their products.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Yao says he reserves the right to sue Coke if the company does not comply.

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