Morrissey feels aggrieved. The 65-year-old musician claims that Johnny Marr now owns “100% of the rights and intellectual property” of the Smiths.
The former singer of the British group, who founded The Smiths in 1982 with guitarist Johnny Marr, said in a message shared on his website that his former bandmate had acted without warning or consulting him.
“J Marr has successfully filed an application to register 100% of the trademark and intellectual property rights in the name The Smiths,” he said in his post. “His application was granted on the basis of the oaths or proclamations he presented. This step was taken without any consultation with Morrissey and without giving him the usual opportunity to object,” he added.
The post explains that Johnny Marr can tour under the Smiths name while choosing the singer of his choice. The move also “bars Morrissey from using the name, while depriving him of a considerable financial livelihood.”
Long-running legal battle
The indie pop band would only survive for five years, with The Smiths breaking up in 1987 after recording four albums. This separation would make the relationship between the two musicians increasingly bitter over time.
In 1989, Morrissey and Johnny Marr each owned 40% of the rights, while the other two members of the quartet, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, had to settle for 10% each, both being treated as session musicians.
Andy Rourke, who died in 2023, and Mike Joyce sued the two former members to demand an equal division of the rights, 25% each. While the bassist, in debt at the time, eventually agreed to a deal to settle for his 10%, this is not the case for Mike Joyce, who is continuing his legal action.
For over thirty years, the remaining members of the group have been fighting over the rights and financial benefits of The Smiths. Musically, Morrissey and Johnny Marr have continued their respective solo careers.
