Johnny Marr’s management has issued a statement responding to recent claims made by Morrissey about the trademark of The Smiths’ name, as well as plans for a tour.
In numerous recent statements, Morrissey has alleged that Marr “ignored” an offer for a reunion tour in 2025, while he followed that up with a claim that Marr had “blocked” plans for a The Smiths greatest hits album. Most recently, the band’s former frontman stated Marr had obtained the trademark rights to The Smiths’ name “without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the standard opportunity of ‘objection'”.
In a statement shared on social media, Marr’s management responded that Morrissey’s statements about the trademark of The Smiths’ name were “incorrect”, adding: “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.”
The statement continued: “A failure to response 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.”
Marr’s management further said that an offer of joint ownership between the two men still requires the signature of Morrissey.
A direct quote attributed to Marr added: “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 from Marr’s representatives concluded by confirming that speculation about Marr touring as The Smiths with a different singer is not true, while he declined the suggestion of another greatest hits compilation from Warner Music Group “given the number already in existence.”
The Smiths split in 1987, and Marr and Morrissey have had a number of public disputes since. The two had discussed the possibility of a reunion in 2008, according to Marr’s 2016 memoir Set The Boy Free, but it ultimately never materialised.
