While many directors know the path to making movies and TV shows doesn't always go smoothly, Oscar-winner Danny Boyle probably didn't factor a battle with Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols over the use of the iconic punk group's music being used in his new TV series based on the memoirs of Pistol's guitarist Steve Jones, "Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol." The spat is really between lead singer Johnny Rotten, real name John Lydon, and his fellow band members Jones and drummer Paul Cook, and has now led to a hearing in London's High Courty.

The case revolved around Lydon's unwillingness to allow the band's hits to be used in the series, something that he had done previously by denying use of "God Save The Queen" in Netflix's {The Crown, again to the displeasure of his former band mates. The new legal battle seems to stem from a 1988 contract which states that license to use the music in TV or film productions can only be done if the majority of the band is in agreement. However, Lydon has disputed this contract, saying that I has never been followed in the past and as far as he is concerned, any use of the group's songs can be stopped by an individual veto.

Lydon has never been the shy and retiring type, and in his mind the anarchy of the Sex Pistols heyday is probably alive and well and he wants to show that by not giving those wanting to use his songs what they want. While it may be anarchy for him, it is also the easiest way to lose money that he, and more importantly his other band member, could be making off the back of the 30+ year old music. With the issue now impacting an entire TV series, as it would be a little difficult to have a series based on the Sex Pistols without featuring the music of the Sex Pistols, this case is likely be one that Lydon will struggle to win.

Lydon has had issues with the series from the beginning, having talked about seeking legal action against the show in its entirety for having been written and put into production without his consent. He told The Sunday Times, "Sorry, you think you can do this, like walk all over me - it isn't going to happen. Not without a huge, enormous f***ing fight. I'm Johnny, you know, and when you interfere with my business you're going to get the bitter end of my business as a result. It's a disgrace. I fronted this band. I'm the man that wrote the words. I supplied the image and direction, and I think the questions hang on their actions here. If they needed to be this secret squirrel about it then they must have something to hide."

FX originally ordered the six episode series in January, but according to Boyle's team despite trying to speak to Lydon about the project "direct contact" with the singer was declined despite their efforts. Lydon originally began legal action against the production, which is being produced under the title of Pistol, in April.