Bob Moon: Amazon is stepping up its publishing push, with help from none other than Agent 007. The online bookseller has just acquired the rights to the James Bond novels behind the movies.

Here’s Marketplace’s Stephen Beard in London.

Stephen Beard: The movies have gone global, but the books are largely forgotten. Now the author’s family wants to gain a wider readership for the novels. It’s sold the rights to 14 original titles to Amazon. The retailer will publish them in print and also in e-book form, enlivened with clips from the movies.

James Bond movie: Good to see you Mr. Bond . Things have been awfully dull around here.

Amazon also will also link the text to Bond merchandise. The company has acquired a ten-year license.

It could be a license to make a killing, says E-commecre expert Ajay Bhalla of the Cass Business School.

Ajay Bhalla: The multimedia offering just is a great add-on offer, great revenue-streaming opportunity for a company such as Amazon.

Amazon is certainly on a roll. The company is also likely to benefit from last week’s lawsuit over e-book price fixing.

In London, I’m Stephen Beard In London.