The Doors partnership was an oral agreement until 5th January 1971 when their attorney was instructed to draw up a retroactive partnership agreement effective from 1st January 1966, which all four members of the band signed. This amendment to the partnership agreement was made just over two months later on 11th March 1971, prompted by a concern that after L.A. Woman was delivered to Elektra, Morrison might leave the band and form another band in Europe using the name The Doors. There is some conjecture over the exact date Jim Morrison left Los Angeles for Paris, although it is believed he was due to fly on 10th March 1971. According to Frank Lisciandro, who met Morrison at the airport bar, they were so deep in conversation that he missed his plane and had to return to the airport the next morning. It then seems likely that Morrison was present to sign this amendment on 11th March 1971, just before flying to Paris. He died only four months later on 3rd July 1971.

The '1966' agreement was terminated on 1st October, 1971, when a new agreement was drawn up that included the three surviving Doors and the Morrison/Coulson Estate. In February 2003, John Densmore, and subsequently the Estate, filed suit against Robert Krieger and Ray Manzarek, objecting to their touring or promoting themselves as The Doors or The Doors of the 21st Century. The 11th March amendment was referred to as evidence in the court proceedings as setting forth specific provision prohibiting the use of the name, The Doors, by any partner upon termination of the partnership for any reason other than the death of a partner. The court ruled in favour of the plaintiff, declaring that Krieger and Manzarek be permanently enjoined from performing, touring, promoting their band, recording and otherwise holding themselves out as The Doors, The Doors of the 21st century or any other name that includes the words The Doors