Yoko Ono not suing Lennon Murphy

Yoko Ono has denied claims she is suing US rock singer Lennon Murphy.

Earlier reports indicated that Ono was taking the singer to court for registering the name "Lennon" as a trademark.

In a statement, Ono said: "I am really hurt if people thought that I told a young artist to not use her own name in her performances and had sought to sue her. I did no such thing. I hope this allegation will be cleared."

Ono granted Murphy permission to perform under the name "Lennon" but was unaware that the singer had applied to the US trademark offices to register the name for musical performances.

Ono objected to Murphy using the trademark and asked the singer's representatives to withdraw the registration, offering to cover the costs Murphy had incurred in filing the trademark.

After Murphy registered the name Ono notified the trademark office that she felt it was unfair "that Ms. Murphy be granted the exclusive right to the "Lennon" trademark in relation to musical and entertainment services".