Who owns James Bond?

Sir James Moloney · April 2013

I hope someone can shed some light on this although I have no idea if the information is in the public domain or not.

Does anyone have a definitive answer to who owns the film rights to James Bond?

My understanding is that rights are wholly owned by Danjaq LLC (Formerly Danjaq S.A.). I think that is definite?

Danjaq was co-owned, 50/50, by Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.

In 1975, Saltzman sold his stake in Danjaq to United Atrists. So Danjaq was now co-owned, 50/50, by Albert R Broccoli and UA.

In 1981, MGM bought UA. As I understand it, UA remained the co-owners of Danjaq despite being a subsidiary of MGM. Is this correct?

According to John Cork, he believes that Albert Broccoli bought out UA's stake in Danjaq at some time in the mid-80s, (but he hasn't followed this information up.) If so, Broccoli owned 100% of Danjaq.

So, who now owns the rights to the James Bond films? Do Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli own 100% of the rights together? Do they own 50% each? Does UA or MGM still, in fact, own 50% (and, if so, how is the other 50% divided between Broccoli and Wilson?)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

DieAnotherDay · April 2013

It is pretty complicated but I think in 2006 MGM and Columbia pictures have co-distributed the films and I think Columbia is actually led by Sony Pictures Entertainment which is its parent company. After 2010 when MGM filled for bankruptcy I think Columbia and danjaq now own 50/50% of the rights. I don't currently know where MGM stands though?!

Sir James Moloney · April 2013

DieAnotherDay wrote:

t is pretty complicated but I think in 2006 MGM and Columbia pictures have co-distributed the films and I think Columbia is actually led by Sony Pictures Entertainment which is its parent company. After 2010 when MGM filled for bankruptcy I think Columbia and danjaq no own 50/50% of the rights. I don't currently know where MGM stands though?!

Thanks DieAnotherDay. Colombia had a co-distribution deal for CR and QoS which they renewed for SF. There's currently no co-distribution deal in place for Bond 24 (and there would need to be as MGM don't have a distribution network currently).

But Colombia don't own any of the rights to the Bond films, it's just a distribution deal (I think they take 25% of revenue for their films...)

DieAnotherDay · April 2013

I know Columbia distributed CR And QoS But now that I think on it I'm not actually sure if they had anything to do with SF, they certainly didn't distribute it.

DieAnotherDay · April 2013

DieAnotherDay wrote:

I know Columbia distributed CR And QoS But now that I think on it I'm not actually sure if they had anything to do with SF, they certainly didn't distribute it.

Never mind I've just realised it was a 50/50 distribution split again between MGM and Columbia. I just didn't remember seeing the Columbia logo at the beginning of the film (or end) or anywhere on the blu ray case

superado · April 2013

Are there any members here who are, or know any intellectual property lawyers? Are the film (and literary) rights bound to eventually lapse into public domain?

Sir James Moloney · April 2013

superado wrote:

Are there any members here who are, or know any intellectual property lawyers? Are the film (and literary) rights bound to eventually lapse into public domain?

I'm not an intellectual property lawyer but I have a working understanding of it due to my job. As the law currently stands, both the film and literary rights are bound to eventually lapse into the public domain.

The copyright term in the UK expires 70 years after the author's death, so all Fleming's works will enter the public domain in the UK on 1 January 2035

The copyright term in the USA (for works published between 1923 and 1977) expires 95 years after the date of publication. So both Casino Royale and the character of James Bond will enter the public domain in the US on 14 April 2048

The film rights situation is similar but the "author" is considered to be both the producer and the director. So, for example, the copyright for OHMSS will expire in the UK in 2072 as that is 70 years after the death of Peter Hunt (the last to die out of Peter Hunt, Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman). It will expire in the US in 2064 because that's 95 years after its release.

But.... (and this is a big but) copyright terms are regularly extended in the EU and USA so it should be expect that these terms will be extended too. Jack Valenti, who was a major force in pushing through US copyright extensions, has said that he wants copyright to last "forever minus one day"

Sir James Moloney · April 2013

Hello folks, believe I have found out what's happening with this. Just checking a few facts but I will let you all know once I have a definitive answer.

superado · April 2013

Thank you, Sir James, I guess I'll look forward to artificial organ technology, maybe cryogenics and some luck to even hope to see how a film adaptation of the book series will look like when done by "by the book."

Sir James Moloney · April 2013

Have found an answer on this: Broccoli bought UA's shares in 1986. Danjaq is now wholly owned by the Broccoli family.

Only thing I'm not sure on is whether it's just Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli or if their step-brother and sister also share ownership.

Who owns James Bond?

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