Morrissey Central "THE PLOT THICKENS" (September 15, 2024)

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. This action was done without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the standard opportunity of 'objection'. Amongst many other things, this means that Marr can now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice, and it also prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable financial livelihood.

Morrissey alone created the musical unit name 'The Smiths' in May 1982.

THE PLOT THICKENS - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - THE PLOT THICKENS

MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY on MORRISSEY CENTRAL

www.morrisseycentral.com

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Media items:

• AV Club: "Morrissey claims that Johnny Marr owns name "The Smiths" now" - September 16, 2024
• NME: "Morrissey claims Johnny Marr now owns “100 per cent trademark rights and Intellectual Property” of The Smiths name" - September 16, 2024
• Stereogum: "Morrissey Says Johnny Marr Has Acquired The Smiths Trademark, Can Replace Him As Band’s Vocalist" - September 16, 2024

 

[new musings]

I’ve always believed Marr to be playing the victim all the while being a sleeze bag in the shadows.
This certifies it.

 

[Daganham Dave]

There’s no way on Earth even if they paid me that I would go see a band calling themselves the Smiths without Morrissey. If Marr has held the trademark since 2018 that might just mean to protect it from an outsider trying to use it. Now I would pay to see Rick Astley and the Blossoms play the Smiths music though. They were fantastic at Glastonbury.

 

[Cornflakes]

Class 41 seems to cover all aspects of performance as The Smiths.

It seems that way. But looking at what's been selected overall, it's generally the things you would expect a games company to want (including performances, for promotional purposes). Imo.

Another thing to note, mind you, is there's a proximity in time to the Smiths classical thing that didn't happen.

 

[saintssmileshyly]

And the Northern leeches go on removing, removing, removing

 

[Gray Fruit]

It seems that way. But looking at what's been selected overall, it's generally the things you would expect a games company to want (including performances, for promotional purposes). Imo.

Another thing to note, mind you, is there's a proximity in time to the Smiths classical thing that didn't happen.

Bingo! The trademark was taken out right after the Smiths Classical fiasco which happened in January 2018.

The Smiths partially reunite for classical concerts

Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce and Craig Gannon have reworked the band’s back catalogue for performances this summer

www.theguardian.com

 

[Cornflakes]

Like @Katsneezle pointed out, why does Morrissey is acting like this is something new, when Marr's company has owned The Smiths since 2018?

Because there was probably no way for Morrissey to know about it until he tried to register the trademark himself.

 

[manfields]

In the open letter, Morrissey said that Johnny blame him for everything. Funny that he is doing the same thing with Marr.

 

[DaveJCarr]

I would like an actual link and legal analysis from people who know how copyright works in the United Kingdom. If you're going to claim something like this as m Moz has dropping a link to the filing is the bare minimum in terms of substantiating a claim

As it stands it's unclear whether this is anything other in practice and effect then the prognostications that he was being erased from history somehow.

Absolutely none of that would excuse a unilateral power move from Marr but I don't know what I don't know and the central post does not provide links information or context

 

[JerryCan]

Like @Katsneezle pointed out, why does Morrissey is acting like this is something new, when Marr's company has owned The Smiths since 2018?

He's only just seen it. Maybe another aspect of lack of management? Johnny was aware and took appropriate steps without bothering to tangle with Moz. No ill intention - just taking care of both of their business interests. That's what I'm hoping.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Because there was probably no way for Morrissey to know about it until he tried to register the trademark himself.

but it’s on the internet.

 

[manfields]

Because there was probably no way for Morrissey to know about it until he tried to register the trademark himself.

But that's not Johnny 's fault tho. Also, who knows if Marr or his team tried to get in touch with Morrissey and he ignore them?

 

[Cornflakes]

but it’s on the internet.

This is a fair point. Morrissey should have read the internet sooner.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

This is a fair point. Morrissey should have read the internet sooner.

I could be wrong. But is Marr’s 2018 filing, something different to what Morrissey is claiming here? Surely he would have said something publicly about it sooner. Doesn’t make sense.

 

[JerryCan]

This is a fair point. Morrissey should have read the internet sooner.

I can't even keep up with this thread.
What happened about the classical Three Fifth Smiths shows? I must have been under a rock.

 

[Gray Fruit]

This is a fair point. Morrissey should have read the internet sooner.

How much do you want to bet Morrissey ignored any missives from Johnny's people on this? That seems like standard operating procedure. Now I understand how Johnny was able to veto the Smiths artwork and perhaps why it didn't say "The Smiths" but "Smiths Rule OK" as a way to get around the trademark?

The timing of Morrissey's message on central is obviously to make himself look like a victim, once again.

 

[Cornflakes]

I can't even keep up with this thread.
What happened about the classical Three Fifth Smiths shows? I must have been under a rock.

It didn't happen because Andy pulled out on the day of the launch. Possibly following an intervention by Johnny, but who knows?

Mike had to do a press conference with Andy suddenly not there. Must have sucked for him.

 

[bhops]

Just spit balling here, what if Johnny resurrected The Smiths with Martin Rossiter on lead vocals, Mike Joyce on the drums, Alain Whyte on rhythm guitar, and Stephen Street on the bass. Would you go see that?

Your spit balling sucks.

 

[JerryCan]

It didn't happen because Andy pulled out on the day of the launch. Possibly following an intervention by Johnny, but who knows?
Mike had to do a press conference with Andy suddenly not there. Must have sucked for him.

What a circus... What a shame.

 

[Gray Fruit]

It didn't happen because Andy pulled out on the day of the launch. Possibly following an intervention by Johnny, but who knows?

Mike had to do a press conference with Andy suddenly not there. Must have sucked for him.

This might have been around the time Andy got diagnosed with cancer. I think Mike said it was, but they didn't want to disclose that.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

What a circus... What a shame.

I wonder if Marr was really against the Classically Smiths shows, or maybe he felt if he didn’t put a stop to it then Mike would continue to do other projects using The Smiths name.