On This Day in 1986: Roger Waters Took Pink Floyd to Court to Stop Gilmour and Mason From Using the Band’s Name
Brennan Schnell from Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Legal Battle Begins
On October 31, 1986, bassist and lyricist Roger Waters filed a case in the London High Court seeking to stop his former bandmates David Gilmour and Nick Mason from using the name “Pink Floyd.” The move came after Waters exited the group in 1985 amid growing tension and creative differences.
Waters argued that, without his involvement, the band should not continue under the same name. He described Pink Floyd as “a spent force creatively.” Mason and Gilmour opposed the claim and proclaimed that Pink Floyd would carry on.
Background to the Split
Waters’s departure from Pink Floyd in 1985 followed years of internal conflicts over direction and control. By late 1986, the remaining members pressed ahead, revealed plans for a new album, and refused to dissolve the band. According to one source, on November 11, 1986, Gilmour and Mason announced a new studio record under the Pink Floyd name.
Waters issued legal notice attempting to dissolve the partnership and block usage of the band’s name. He believed the group could not function without him and wanted the name retired. The court battle was complex because Waters had formally left, and issues of partnership law and company structure came into play.
View this post on Instagram
The Case and Settlement
During the legal process, Waters found that the commercial entity known as Pink Floyd Music Ltd had never been fully dissolved, meaning his attempt to control the name alone would face serious hurdles. Eventually, in late December 1987, a settlement was reached. Waters gave up his right to use the name “Pink Floyd” and allowed Gilmour and Mason to continue under it, in exchange for rights to The Wall and other creative aspects.
Waters later admitted that suing his former bandmates was a mistake. He reflected: “I was wrong! Of course I was,” and added, “Who cares? … The legal profession has taught me something.”
Lasting Impact
The lawsuit remains one of rock’s most public disputes over band identity and legal control. It showed how creative differences and business arrangements can clash, even long after success. For fans of Pink Floyd, the episode marked the end of one era and the beginning of another, raising questions about what defines a band’s name and sound.
Today the name Pink Floyd continues under Gilmour and Mason, while Waters pursues a solo path. Though the court case is settled, the legacy of that legal confrontation continues to provoke discussion about ownership, artistry and memory in music history.
