New Order and Peter Hook Settle Longstanding Legal Dispute

New Order and former bassist Peter Hook have reached a “full and final settlement” in a long-running dispute over ownership of New Order and Joy Division assets. Back in 2015, Hook sued his former bandmates Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert in a royalties dispute. Hook claimed that, after New Order set up a new company in 2011 to take care of the band’s finances, they excluded him and shorted him more than £2.3 million (around $3.5 million at the time of the claim). For their part, the rest of the band said Hook “receives his full share of all back catalogue royalties” and contested his use of New Order and Joy Division assets in merchandising and promotion of Peter Hook & the Light shows. Now, the case has been put to bed.

“New Order announce that today, a full and final settlement has been reached in the long running disputes with their former bassist Peter Hook,” the band write in a statement. “The Joy Division and New Order names mean a great deal to so many of the fans, and the band felt it important to protect the legacy. With these issues now dealt with, Bernard, Stephen and Gillian can continue to do what they do best, make music and perform live.”

Pitchfork has contacted representatives for both New Order and Peter Hook for further comment.