Johnny Rotten Sued By Former Sex Pistols Bandmates Over Music Rights

John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, has been sued by his former Sex Pistols bandmates Steve Jones and Paul Cook after Lydon refused to license the band’s music for Danny Boyle’s forthcoming six-episode FX series Pistol, the Associated Press reports. According to Pitchfork, a lawyer for Jones and Cook appeared at the High Court in London on Thursday arguing that under the terms of a 1998 agreement, licensing requests can be determined by “majority rules.”

Lydon first threatened legal action with regards to the upcoming series in April. “I think that’s the most disrespectful shit I’ve ever had to endure,” he told England’s Sunday Times. Lydon’s lawyer argued in court documents that show the singer in “a hostile and unflattering light” and describes him as “the annoying little brat with the great bone structure who’s always asking for more.”

The six-episode limited series is based on the 2018 memoir by the band’s guitarist Steve Jones. Lydon had also told the Sunday Times that series producer and director Danny Boyle had not spoken to him about the project. Boyle’s camp claimed that “direct contact was declined” on Lydon’s part in response to their efforts.

Lydon began singing for the band shortly after they formed in 1975 until they disbanded in 1978.