Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
007 is embroiled in a real-life IP fight. Papers filed by Josef Kleindienst, an Austrian businessman and property developer, claim that multiple James Bond trademarks, including catchphrases, can be challenged due to lack of use.
The last Bond film was released in 2021, but the case filed in the EU claims failure to use the Bond name across a range of goods including “models of vehicles” and “electronic publishing” leaves them available to rival bidders.
In a statement, Kleindienst said his aim was “to ensure that the James Bond as we know him stays alive and that there are further experiences with him”. MGM, which co-owns the rights to the Bond films, was acquired by Amazon in 2021.
Amazon is almost certainly willing to fight for its $8.5 billion acquisition, but new films are currently stymied by studio disagreements and no new actor has been cast in the titular role since Daniel Craig retired his tux.
Now might be a good time to live and let die.
