Music News - Ozzy Osbourne's attorneys have filed a lawsuit with the USA Patent and Trademark Office against Mr Osbourne's former Black Sabbath bandmate, Tony Iommi, with claims that Mr Iommi has improperly taken over ownership of the Black Sabbath without having the legal right!. (read Ozzy’s full statement on the suit below the break) According to the NY Post, Osbourne’s suit seeks a 50% stake in the “Black Sabbath” trademark and the filing claims Osbourne is entitled to a portion of the profits Iommi has generated through use of the band name. The suit further suggests that Osbourne’s “signature lead vocals” helped propel the band’s “extraordinary success”. The suit also points out that Sabbath’s popularity went into a decline when Ozzy left BS, during 1980 and 1996. That's when former Rainbow
Ozzy's action likely stems from Iommi's 12/08 lawsuit against entertainment firm, Live Nation claiming that the company sold merchandise with the BLACK SABBATH logo, in violation of a 2006 expiration of a merchandising deal, reportedly worth nearly $80 million. Soon after the agreement ended, Iommi took back the band’s trademark. Iommi’s suit argued that Live Nation continued to sell more than 100 items of merchandise featuring the band’s likeness, name and logo, despite the cease-and-desist order from the guitarist’s legal team. Iommi’s suit seeks damages in the amount of three times the profits from the merchandise sales, plus a halt to the Black Sabbath merchandise sales.
A real shame when friend's fight, huh?
Statement from OZZY OSBOURNE on the matter:
“It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990’s, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world. We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name “Black Sabbath” which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the “Black Sabbath” brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour. Tony, I am so sorry it’s had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don’t have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We’re all in our 60’s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing.”
With all due respect for Ozzy, but when I think Black Sabbath I think Iommi.
When I hear Iron Man, it's the guitar riff that packs the heavy punch. Wizard, Wicked world, Heaven & Hell, Headless Cross, Country Girl, Mob Rules, I, etc. Whatever you name from Sabbath, odds are there's some riff in there that gives it the personality it has.
When I think Ozzy, I think Diary of a Madman, Crazy Train, Mr. Tinkertrain, Believer, etc (all amazing songs).
When I think Ronnie James Dio, I think Holy Diver, Dream Evil, Lock up the Wolves, Rock & Roll Children, etc.
As a fan of all things mentioned in this comment, I really do believe it's Iommi who deserves the Sabbath name. He's the one who "started" it. He's the one who gave the personality it has (the 'heavy metal' sounding guitar), he's the one who kept it alive. Even if Sabbath had been reduced to playing in clubs, it still sounded great. This is coming from an owner of every Sabbath CD (except Forbidden [couldn't find that]), and every Ozzy CD.
Respect to them all. My 2 cents.
Posted by: Jason | Apr 06, 2010 at 08:23 AM