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James Bond franchise owners request more time to defend control of 007 spy name

Exclusive: Dubai-based property developer has challenged trademark registrations over lack of use

The owners of the multibillion-pound James Bond franchise have requested more time to mount their defence to keep control of the super spy’s name in Europe, after a legal challenge to their trademark rights across a range of goods and services. Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007, No Time to Die, was released in 2021 and with no announcement yet of his replacement or timeline for production of the next film, the franchise is on track to beat the previous longest gap between instalments of six years and four months. “As a general rule, any initial unilateral request for an extension that is received in time will be considered appropriate and will be granted,” said the EU Intellectual Property Office in a filing extending the deadline.

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