Danjaq

Danjaq, LLC

Company type	Limited liability company
Industry	Film production, Intellectual property management
Founded	1962 (1962)
Founder	Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman
Headquarters	Santa Monica, California , United States
Products	James Bond film series copyrights and trademarks
Owner	Family of Albert R. Broccoli

Danjaq, LLC (previously known as Danjaq S.A. and Danjaq, Inc.) serves as the holding entity responsible for managing the copyrights and trademarks associated with the James Bond film series. Owned and operated by the family of Albert R. Broccoli, one of the franchise’s original co-creators, Danjaq holds essential intellectual property rights that underpin the brand’s worldwide operations.

Establishment

Danjaq was formed in 1962 by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman after the commercial success of Dr. No. The company was designed to oversee all subsequent James Bond movie productions. Its name is derived by merging the first names of Broccoli’s and Saltzman’s wives: Dana and Jacqueline. Originally incorporated in Switzerland under the name Danjaq S.A., it collaborated with United Artists to produce Bond films, thereby securing strategic control over the franchise’s operational framework.

Ownership Changes

Due to financial difficulties, Harry Saltzman sold his 50% share to United Artists in 1975. Later, in 1986, Albert and Dana Broccoli purchased this stake, achieving complete ownership of Danjaq. This transaction included an exclusive distribution deal with MGM/United Artists, which significantly expanded Danjaq’s commercial reach and revenue streams.

In 1992, Danjaq shifted its legal registration to Delaware, adopting the name Danjaq, Inc., before transitioning to a limited liability company in 1997. A settlement reached in 1999 with Sony enabled Danjaq to reclaim the rights to Casino Royale, strengthening its hold on vital franchise properties.

Following the passing of Albert Broccoli in 1996 and Dana Broccoli in 2004, leadership passed to Michael G. Wilson—Dana’s son and Albert’s stepson—who continues to guide the company’s strategic direction and growth initiatives.

Copyright Ownership

Danjaq retains ownership of the trademarks related to Bond films. The copyrights for the first twenty movies along with No Time to Die are jointly held by Danjaq, LLC and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. For Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre, copyright ownership is shared among Danjaq, MGM Studios Inc., and Columbia Pictures. Additionally, Danjaq, LLC is credited as a copyright holder for the 1967 version of Casino Royale together with Famous Artists Productions.

Films Produced Outside Danjaq's Jurisdiction

Two James Bond films were created independently from Danjaq: the 1967 Casino Royale featuring David Niven, and the 1983 remake Never Say Never Again. The latter film emerged from a legal agreement granting Kevin McClory, who co-authored the original Thunderball story, permission to produce it.

Danjaq LLC v. James Bond Ltd

On 13 July 2009, Danjaq filed a request under section 69(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2006 against James Bond Ltd—a company registered on 12 June 2009—seeking a change of name. The Company Names Tribunal ruled that James Bond Ltd must alter its name and prohibited registration of similar names in the future, also ordering the respondent to pay part of Danjaq’s legal expenses.

External links

• Details on Danjaq and Eon Productions available on Eon's official site
• Danjaq LLC versus Sony Corp., 263 F.3d 942 (9th Cir. 2001)