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The band Sex Pistols (lr): Steve Jones, John Lydon, Glen Matlock and Paul Cook
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Andy Butterton / dpa
Two former members of the British punk band Sex Pistols have won a lawsuit against frontman John Lydon for using songs in a TV series about the band. Drummer Paul Cook and guitarist Steve Jones had sued Lydon - stage name Johnny Rotten - because he wanted to prevent the Sex Pistols' music from being used in the mini-series "Pistol". The six-part series is based on Jones' autobiography "Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol" and should be released next year. Directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire").
The High Court in London ruled Cook and Jones on Monday. You may use the Sex Pistols songs for the Disney-produced series if the majority of the band members agree. The duo's lawyers had argued that there had been an agreement within the band since 1998 that requests for the licensing of music would be decided by majority vote among the members. Original bassist Glen Matlock and representatives of Sid Vicious, who died in 1979 and who had replaced Matlock in 1977, shared the position of Cook and Jones, it said.
Lydon had vehemently denied the existence of such an agreement and accused his ex-colleagues of trying to impose their will on him. In the past, the 65-year-old singer had spoken out against »Pistol« several times in the past, which he said he was never involved in at any time. "I am deeply offended by this project," Lydon said in January in an interview with the German press agency about the TV series. "In my opinion, this project is nothing but poison."
The Sex Pistols were founded in 1975, but disbanded in 1978.
Although the group only released one album during this short period - the punk classic "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" - they became one of the most influential bands in music history and are considered to be the pioneers of punk rock.
After their separation, the Sex Pistols got together again several times to play concerts together, most recently in 2008. It is now considered unlikely that there will be further reunions.
nga / dpa