And finally…licence to kill and all rights reserved

Papers filed with the European Intellectual Property Office show that the veteran actor has protected his name across a number of trademark classes.

The restrictions mean it cannot be used for various products including DVDs, clothing, books, move memorabilia, cocktail shakers and wine glasses.

Campbell Newell, a partner at Marks & Clerk, said: “Generally, we are seeing more celebrities registering their names and there have even been attempts by some individuals to register the rights to their faces to stop others riding on their proverbial coat tails.

“Trademarks are assets, so if you are in the creative industries, there is a benefit in registering your name.

“Quite often, you will be doing some sort of licensing arrangement with someone else. David Beckham, for example, has been doing adverts for Haig whisky, and there will be a licensing arrangement between him and the firm.

“A trademark is something tangible which you can license to third parties with various terms and conditions.”