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Saudi-led theme park project in France faces licensing विवाद

Updated 8 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 08:12 UTC → 2026-09-04 10:32 UTC · added ~~removed~~

France and Saudi Arabia have formalized an agreement for a €6 billion ($7 billion) investment to develop three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris. The project, led by Qiddiya Investment Company, was announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France and is expected to create approximately 22,000 direct jobs. While the Élysée Palace described the development as a “colossal” and “unprecedented” project, it has faced significant complications regarding intellectual property. Although Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France regional council, publicly suggested one park would be themed around the Dragon Ball franchise, Toei Animation has officially denied granting any such licenses for a project in France. The Japanese studio stated that neither it nor the relevant rights holders, including Shueisha and Bird Studio, have authorized the use of the brand and have no knowledge of the specific plans for the French development. Toei Animation clarified that promotional concept images and videos circulating in the media were misappropriated from a 2024 announcement regarding a separate, officially licensed Dragon Ball theme park planned for Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. ~~This discrepancy highlights a lack of necessary legal permissions for the use of the intellectual property within~~ In response to the ~~proposed French investment project.~~ licensing discrepancy, Qiddiya Investment Company has indicated that negotiations with international brand holders are still ongoing.

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