The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week granted Apple a trademark for the unique design of the company's brick-and-mortar retail outlets, a process nearly two years in the making.

From Apple Insider:

First applied for in May of 2010, Apple's newly minted trademark was awarded on Jan. 22 and covers the Apple Store's distinctive all-glass storefront and facade, recessed lighting, Genius Bar and rectangular tables, among other design cues.

The trademark goes into detail regarding the store's layout:

There are cantilevered shelves below recessed display spaces along the side walls, and rectangular tables arranged in a line in the middle of the store parallel to the walls and extending from the storefront to the back of the store.

 Apple successfully trademarks Apple Store design and layout