Ozzy sues Iommi over Black Sabbath trademark

Ex-Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne filed a lawsuit against his former Black Sabbath bandmate, guitarist Tony Iommi, this past Friday (May 29) at The Manhattan Federal Court.

The Double O claims that Iommi has illegally taken sole ownership of the Black Sabbath name. The lawsuit claims that Black Sabbath's popularity plummeted during Osbourne's absence and that his "signature lead vocals" are largely responsible for the band's "extraordinary success".

"It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long-term partner Tony Iommi," said Osbourne in an official statement. "But after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse."

"The Black Sabbath trademark should be equally owned by Geezer [Butler, bass], Bill [Ward, drums], Tony and I as the true Black Sabbath lineup is Tony, Geezer, Bill and I," continued Osbourne.

However Ozzy is suing Iommi for a 50% interest in the Black Sabbath trademark and a share of profits he has earned from use of the trademark to date.

Tags: Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne

Posted by Dan at 11:05AM | June 1, 2009

What a faggot

Posted by dylan | June 1, 2009 11:35 AM | Reply to this

shouldnt that be 25%?

Posted by james | June 1, 2009 7:15 PM | Reply to this

Wow Kerrang, your a bit late on this one. I read this on classic rock last week.

And I bet I know who's behind this. Ozzy ain't got the sense to organise this anymore. Sharon just probably wants a new car or something.

Posted by JoNnY | June 1, 2009 8:53 PM | Reply to this

Someone needs to kill this decrepit, dribbling shambling moron, and his money grabbing whore of a wife.
And their kids, if they've any ammo left.

Iommi is, and always has been Black Sabbath.

Posted by Gorgar | June 1, 2009 11:47 PM | Reply to this

i second that.

also Dio is better in sabbath than ozzy, they shouldn't even have to call themselves heaven and hell, they should still be called black sabbath. Ozzy was kicked out, therefore he should have lost all rights to the band. You don't see Dave Mustaine trying to claim a percentage from Metallica.

Posted by graham | June 2, 2009 12:34 AM | Reply to this

After ozzy sabbath went downhill, Black Rain is amazing whereas from what i have heard of the new heaven and hell one they are severely lacking the plot.

And maybe Iommi is the faggot for claiming the band as solely his in the first place!

Posted by Owen | June 2, 2009 10:23 PM | Reply to this

Retire you bumbling fool.

Ozzy is a comic book rock star now.

He has lost so much respect, not only for this, but that ridiculous reality show too.

Sod oof back to America and take that irritating family with you.

Posted by Dan | June 3, 2009 3:46 PM | Reply to this

I blame Sharon

Posted by Titan50 | June 4, 2009 11:40 AM | Reply to this

heaven and hell arent missing a plot and the the the black sabbath trade mark does belong to the founder. that would in fact be tony iommi. ozzy needs to give this up already and sharon should leave well enough alone.

Posted by tony | June 5, 2009 3:23 AM | Reply to this

the sound belongs to iommi

pretty sad seeing the very first of em all playing fender bender

Posted by arnab mukherjee | June 7, 2009 5:06 AM | Reply to this

Owen (a comment above), you're a fucking moron. Maybe Sabbath wasn't quite as popular after Ozzy was kicked out, but popularity does not equate to the best. If that were so, you'd be listening to Young Jeezy and Lady Gaga and all of that bullshit right now.
And like some before me have already said, IOMMI CREATED THE BAND. Yes, Ozzy was one of the original members, but Iommi is the one that created the band. Iommi is the one with the talent. Ozzy is the one that went on to try to do solo bullshit that they produced the fuck out of (especially in recent years) to drown out how terrible his voice really has gotten.
Ozzy is the one that's already tried to milk everything for what it's worth, and he's continuing to do it with this suing Iommi shit.
So, I'd say that calling Iommi a homosexual for carrying on the name and fame of the band that HE created is what's truly gay, my friend. IOMMI is the one it it for the music. NOT Ozzy. That's been made very clear.

Posted by Jesus Christ | June 11, 2009 4:53 AM | Reply to this

The sabbath sound is Iommi's and he has been the only constant member. Ozzy is under Sharon's thumb and this is an attempt to make some more money. Ozzy doesnt need any more money and he would be nowhere if it wasn't for Iommi Riffs like Iron Man and Black Sabbath. Have to side with Iommi on this one.

Posted by JR | June 28, 2009 10:32 AM | Reply to this

The original Black Sabbath was 4 people. Iommi might have started the band but the sound was all 4 of them and that's why they are so legendary. Ozzy said he wanted it to be owned by all of them so why is he suing for 50%? Greedy cunt. BTW, everything after Sabotage is shit. Period. :P

Posted by MortiS | July 24, 2009 1:31 PM | Reply to this

Ozzy would have retired years ago at his peak with respect if it wasn't for the slave driving self-indulgent child frightnening wife of his. Sure he probably would have died by now if she hadn't saved him..but is'nt that rock and roll anyway, fukin rhandy rhoads will be upstairs shaking his head right now. Well it's defintely all Sharon driven (hence 50%) but Ozzy should show a little back bone and bite her fukin giant napper off like the greedy old bat she is, preferably in the next series on MTV!

Posted by paul (the axe) thomas | August 26, 2009 2:32 PM | Reply to this