Johnny Marr responds to Morrissey’s claims about The Smiths trademark and reunion: “I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no”
After Morrissey accused Johnny Marr of acquiring the ownership to The Smiths‘ name and ignoring an offer to reunite the band, the guitarist has detailed his side of the story.
In recent weeks, Morrissey has made a string of allegations against Marr on his website regarding the future of The Smiths. It began in late August, when he published a post that read, “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025. Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.”
The message condescendingly concluded, “Morrissey undertakes a largely sold-out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”
Then, on September 11th, Morrissey shared a further update on his website that claimed Marr had prevented The Smiths from releasing a new compilation record. Now, the former Cribs guitarist has confirmed this is true, and due to the vast number of greatest hits they have previously released.
Morrissey issued another statement on his website on September 15th, titled ‘The Plot Thickens’. The post claims: “J Marr has successfully applied for 100% trademark rights / Intellectual Property ownership of The Smiths name. His application has been accepted on whatever oaths or proclamations he has put forward.”
The message also states “this action was done without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the standard opportunity of ‘objection’.”
It also claims that the acquisition of the trademark allows Marr to “tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice”. Furthermore, they claim this “prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable financial livelihood.”
Johnny Marr’s response to Morrissey
In a statement, a spokesperson for Marr shared: “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.”
The spokesperson continued, “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.”
Furthermore, they claim that Morrissey has been offered the opportunity of joint ownership, stating, “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.”
Marr himself 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.”
The guitarist also responded to Morrissey’s comments regarding a reunion, bluntly remarking, “As for the offer to tour, I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no.”
Additionally, a spokesperson for Marr ruled out the possibility of reuniting The Smiths with a different singer.
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