“Johnny Marr filed an application to acquire 100% of the trademark/IP rights to the Smiths name. This application was granted, based on some unknown oath or proclamation. The action was taken without consulting Morrissey, and without giving him the standard opportunity to object.”
This is the message that appeared on September 15th on Morrissey's official website, Morrissey Central. The announcement comes during a controversial period for the former frontman of the band: just a few days ago, the artist had declared that Marr had managed to block four new publications of the group. At the end of August, Morrissey had instead announced that a generous offer had arrived to reform the Smiths, but that, again because of Marr, nothing would come of it.
The singer’s claims regarding the intellectual property of the name The Smiths will now have to be verified. But if they are found to be correct, Johnny Marr could go on tour alone, or with the artists of his choice, using that “banner”.
Morrissey's message continued: “Among other things, this means that Marr can tour as The Smiths with any vocalist he wants. Furthermore, the consequences of Marr's action prohibit Morrissey from using the name and preclude him from access to substantial financial income.”
He then concluded: «It was also Morrissey who created the musical unit known as The Smiths in May 1982».
