Would you like to purchase a piece of Morrissey? No, really. He’s for sale.
Well, sort of. Morrissey has announced that he is prepared to “offer for sale all of his business interests in ‘The Smiths’ to any interested party/investor.” This looks like an appeal to one of those big companies who are buying up song catalogues for tens of millions and even hundreds of millions of dollars.
Why now? Former bandmate Johnny Marr is filing a trademark claim to protect Smiths intellectual property. He wants to clarify and cement ownership of that material in order to keep it away from third parties. Morrissey was apparently offered to share in the rights 50-50.
If he did agree to Marr’s plan–and it appears that he did–he wants to sell off his ownership in The Smiths, including publishing. These things are also up for sale as listed on his website.
- The name The Smiths (a Morrissey creation)
- All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey.
- All Smiths merchandising rights.
- All Smiths songs lyrically / musically.
- All synchronization rights.
- All Smiths recordings.
Why? I quote from the website:
“I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution. The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.”
Wanna make an offer? Here’s an email. Good luck if it works. More details here.
