Ozzy Suing For Black Sabbath Name

06/01/09 4:18pm

by Bianca Marcus (CHARTattack)

Ozzy Osbourne is suing Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi for 50 per cent ownership of the Black Sabbath name.

Ozzy's lawyers have filed a suit with the U.S. Patent And Trademark office based on claims that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the moniker.

The Prince Of Darkness is also seeking a portion of the profits Iommi has made by performing under the Sabbath name. Ozzy's lawsuit claims his "signature lead vocals" were integral to the metal band's "extraordinary success," and draws attention to the group's dip in popularity during 1980 and 1996 — the years he was replaced by Rainbow's Ronnie James Dio.

Here's Ozzy's entire statement:

"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 [Butler, bassist] and Bill [Ward, drums], 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."

Heaven And Hell — that Sabbath incarnation that Ozzy hates so much — featuring Iommi, Dio, Butler, and drummer Vinny Appice — are embarking on a summer tour of Europe and the U.S. You can see them on these dates:

June 1 St. Petersburg, Russia @ New Arena
June 2 Helsinki, Finland @ Ice Hall
June 4 Oslo, Norway @ Spektrum
June 6 Solvesborg, Sweden @ Sweden Rock Festival
June 8 Giessen, Germany @ Hessenhallen
June 9 Berlin, Germany @ Zitadelle
June 10 Bamburg, Germany @ Jakoarena
June 13 Bergum, Holland @ Walkrock Festival
June 14 Karlsruhe, Germany @ Europahalle
June 16 Bonn, Germany @ Museumsplatz Bonn
June 17 Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus (Spirit Of Rock)
June 19 Clisson, France @ Hellfest Open Air
June 21 Zaragoza, Spain @ Recinto De Zaragoza (Metalway Festival)
June 21 Toulouse, France @ Le Phare
June 23 Paris, France @ Le Casino de Paris
June 26 Dessel, Belgium @ Festivalpark Boeretang (Graspop Festival)
June 27 Milan, Italy @ Gods Of Metal
July 27 Athens, Greece @ Hellinikon Fencing Hall
July 30 Wacken, Germany @ Open Air Festival
August 7 Vancouver, BC @ Thunderbird Arena
August 8 Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater
August 10 San Jose, CA @ The Event Center at San Jose University
August 11 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
August 12 Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
August 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion
August 15 Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 18 Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
August 19 Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
August 21 Detroit, MI @ Meadow Brook Pavilion
August 22 Cleveland, OH @ Nautica Pavilion
August 23 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
August 25 New York, NY @ WaMu Theater At MSG
August 27 Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theatre
August 28 Boston, MA @ Bank Of America Pavilion