Morrissey has announced on his personal blog, Morrissey Central, that he “has no choice but to offer for sale all of [his] business interests in 'The Smiths' to any interested party/investor.”

The former Smiths frontman is selling full and exclusive rights to the band’s name and artwork (which he created), alongside merchandising rights, lyrical and musical compositions, synchronization rights, all Smiths recordings, and all contractual rights for Smiths publishing.

The controversial figure also shared some context for his drastic decision, adding that he’s “burnt out by any and all connections” from his former bandmates Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, and the late Andy Rourke. 

He claims that “with my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images,” so he wants to “live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction.” And states that “the songs are me - they are no one else,” but they are inherently bound to “business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year.”

To anyone interested in the investment, they can reach out to eaves7760@gmail.com. According to The Guardian, “the email address doesn’t seem to exist, and it generates an automated bounce back response.” Additionally, after exhaustive investigation (running it through a free email checker), the mail server seems to be unreachable or doesn’t even have a mailbox operative. But you can try and send your business proposal just in case.

Full message below:

"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." 

This time last year, Morrissey accused Marr of ignoring an offer to do a Smiths reunion as well as acquiring trademark rights and intellectual property ownership of the band’s name behind his back.

Marr’s management released the following statement in response:

“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 ... 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.”