James Bond in danger: Why is 007 under threat from a property tycoon?

Published on 24/06/2025 - 16:02 GMT+2

He’s gone up against nefarious and shadowy organisations, arsenic good arsenic cat-stroking megalomaniacs pinch plans for world domination. However, nan world’s astir celebrated concealed supplier whitethorn person met his lucifer pinch an Austrian spot developer by nan sanction of Josef Kleindienst.

Indeed, nan laminitis of nan Kleindienst Group is challenging trademark registrations relating to nan James Bond franchise, including ‘007’ and nan iconic look “Bond, James Bond”.

Not moreover Blofeld would stoop truthful low...

The spot tycoon, who is building a $5bn luxury edifice analyzable called nan Heart of Europe connected six artificial islands disconnected Dubai, has revenge claims successful nan UK and Europe to return power of nan James Bond name, arguing that nan trademarks person been commercially underexploited.

For Kleindienst, the “non-use” intends that various protections astir James Bond's intelligence spot person expired.

To beryllium fair, what does 1 expect from a man whose sanction virtually translates arsenic "small service"?

Under UK and European law, if a trademark is not commercially exploited for 5 years successful nan categories for which it is registered, it whitethorn beryllium taxable to revocation proceedings. 

James Bond owners Danjaq, nan US institution that controls nan authorities to waste James Bond merchandise worldwide successful conjunction pinch UK accumulation institution Eon, opportunity nan ineligible conflict launched by nan spot developer to get his hands connected nan James Bond trademarks is “an unprecedented battle connected nan franchise,” reports The Guardian. 

Lawyers representing Danjaq are gathering grounds to beryllium that nan trademarks are still being commercialised, arguing that Kleindienst’s “non-use” challenges correspond "abuse of process”. 

And a batch is astatine stake...

“James Bond is simply a trademark of nan highest estimation successful nan EU,” said Rudolf Böckenholt astatine Boehmert & Boehmert, 1 of nan largest intelligence property law firms successful Europe, representing Danjaq. “The trademarks are besides licensed for galore user products and merchandise products, ranging from very luxurious products to mundane products, arsenic good arsenic further services.” 

The discourse makes this “assault” delicate successful nan extreme.  

The past Bond movie was successful 2021 pinch Daniel Craig’s swansong arsenic 007 successful No Time To Die.  

Since then, the franchise was acquired by Amazon for $8.5bn, pinch much than $1bn spent to get full “creative control” of nan series from longtime 007 stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. 

While Amy Pascal and David Heyman person been announced arsenic nan producers of nan adjacent Bond film, nary merchandise date, head aliases lead character has been confirmed.

We reported past twelvemonth that one campaigner whitethorn person nan separator complete countless others and past month, an improbable root whitethorn person confirmed it and let nan vodka martini-swigging feline retired of nan bag. Still, nary charismatic announcement arsenic to nan personality of nan caller 007.

The play of inactivity also means that nan franchise is on way to hit nan longest ever recorded spread betwixt 2 instalments: six years and 4 months. Something of a godsend for immoderate Blofelds-in-the-making wishing to reason that nan marque has been “commercially unexploited”. 

So, arsenic fans hold for James Bond to yet return to nan large screen, nan superspy’s top conflict is shaping up to beryllium a ineligible one.

Additional sources • Guardian