SEX PISTOLS Singer JOHNNY ROTTEN Loses Court Battle To Prevent Band's Songs Being Used In TV Series
August 23, 2021, 3 years ago
BBC is reporting that John Lydon has lost a High Court battle to stop the Sex Pistols music from being used in a new TV drama.
Former drummer Paul Cook and guitarist Steve Jones had sued Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, after he tried to veto the use of the punk group's songs in a show directed by Danny Boyle. The pair argued that the group had an agreement that such decisions could be taken on a "majority rule basis".
In court, Lydon said he rejected that deal, likening it to "slave labour". The singer said the band member agreement (BMA) had never been adhered to and that requests for licences had previously been subject to individual members' vetoes.
However, a judge ruled on Monday that the contract was valid and active, and that the majority of the band could overrule any individual member's veto.
The judge, Sir Anthony Mann, also noted that Mr Lydon "had actually signed away his power to control the use of music rights" to publishing and music companies such as Warner Chappell Music and BMG.
Read the full report at BBC.
