In recent weeks, Morrissey has made headlines with multiple statements concerning his former band, The Smiths, alongside Johnny Marr. He claimed that Marr “ignored” an offer for a potential 2025 reunion tour and alleged that Marr “blocked” the release of a greatest-hits compilation album. Most notably, Morrissey accused Marr of acquiring the trademark rights to The Smiths’ name without proper consultation or allowing him an opportunity to object.
In response to these claims, Marr’s management provided clarifications around the trademark dispute. They stated that back in 2018, Marr reached out to Morrissey’s representatives to collaborate on protecting The Smiths’ name after discovering that trademark ownership was unclear. Morrissey’s failure to respond prompted Marr to register the trademark independently. An agreement was later made with Morrissey’s legal team to hold the trademark for their mutual benefit.
Marr confirmed that he indeed declined an offer from Warner Music Group for a greatest-hits album, stating there were already numerous collections available. Regarding the reunion tour, Marr stated clearly, “I didn’t ignore the offer; I said no.”
Since The Smiths disbanded in 1987, disputes between Marr and Morrissey have been frequent. Despite ongoing speculation, Marr has maintained that there are currently no plans in place for a reunion tour, and any claims about him touring with another vocalist under The Smiths’ name are unfounded. Furthermore, Marr reiterated that he turned down further offers for compilation albums, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding the band’s legacy.
