Johnny Marr has responded to Morrissey’s recent claim that he applied for the trademark for their former band The Smiths, explaining that he’s offered a joint ownership document to the singer.
The guitarist, 60, also set the record straight about the suggestion he’d ignored an offer to reunite the band for a money-spinning new tour, confirming: “I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no.”
The two musicians have been in a bitter feud since the Manchester indie band broke up in 1987. On September 16, Morrissey, 65, shared an update to his personal website, Messages from Morrissey, alleging that Marr had applied for copyright of The Smiths name “without any consultation” with him, and without giving him a chance to object.
Marr has now refuted Morrissey’s suggestion, insisting that he had attempted to consult with his former singer, to no avail.
A statement from Marr’s management posted on Marr’s social media read: “Recent statements made by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of the Smiths’ name are incorrect. Here are the facts:
“In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths’ name – and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band – Marr reached out to Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting The Smiths’ name.
“A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey’s lawyers that this trademark was held for the mutual benefit of Morrissey & Marr.
“As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign.
“In the interests of accuracy and clarity regarding the trademark, and to answer recent reports that Marr ignored a promoter’s offer to tour as the Smiths, Marr says:
“‘To prevent third parties from profiting from the band’s name, it was left to me to protect the legacy. This I have done on behalf of both myself and my former bandmates. As for the offer to tour, I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no.’”
The statement also goes dismisses speculation that Marr plans to tour as The Smiths with a different singer, saying: “There are no such plans.”
Marr also confirms that he declined a suggestion from Warner Music Group that the band put out another greatest hits compilation “given the number already in existence.”
Rumours of a Smiths reunion had been gaining traction since the much-hyped recent Oasis truce. However, in 2022, Marr told Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 there was “zero chance” he’d ever work with Morrissey again.
