UPDATE: Ozzy Osbourne Files Suit Against Tony Iommi Over Black Sabbath Trademark; Why Now?

Posted by Dan Rodriguez on Fri, May 29, 2009 at at 10:43 am

The New York Post is reporting Ozzy Osbourne has filed a lawsuit against his Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi, claiming Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the band’s name after filing it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The story claims Osbourne is suing for a 50 percent interest in the “Black Sabbath” trademark, along with a portion of Iommi’s profits from use of the name.

The curious thing about this story is that Iommi’s trademark ownership isn’t new – he filed in 1999, when the band first re-united for a stretch ending in 2005. Since the “Black Sabbath” name has not been active since – Iommi went as far as to re-brand the Dio-fronted reunited incarnation as Heaven & Hell – what recent profits is Ozzy after?

Well, it appears Ozzy is banking on a big payday for Iommi, as Tony’s December 2008 suit against Live Nation moves forward. Iommi filed suit against the concert giant after its acquisition of merchandising company Signatures, which continued to sell over 100 items of Black Sabbath merchandise after its contract with the band expired in 2006.

UPDATE: Ozzy has issued a statement on the matter, and he makes some excellent points. According to Ozzy, it was his management team which handled the marketing and merchandising of the Black Sabbath brand since 1997, so Iommi taking action against Live Nation over a deal worked out by Ozzy’s management does seem to entitle the latter to a share of a settlement.

Osbourne goes on to make it a bit more personal, insisting he has tried amicable routes with Iommi for years and credits himself and fellow bandmates Bill Ward and Geezer Butler for reviving the Black Sabbath name after Iommi spent the early ’90s playing to small clubs under the Sabbath moniker with fill-in musicians. (Thanks Zach S)

Tags: Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi

8 Comments For This Post

Pete Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 11:03 AM

You mean SHARON is banking on a big payday, right?

Zach S Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:01 PM

ozzy has just released a personal statement regarding the lawsuit.
read it hear:
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/29/ozzy-osbourne-releases-statement-on-black-sabbath-suit/

i have to say that while it looks a little scummy to do such a lawsuit, ozzy (or whoever wrote the statement on his behalf) makes some very good points and makes me doubt whether who is right or wrong. iommi did tarnish the sabbath name for a while with the “axl rose like” treatment, and it wasnt until the original lineup got back together that sabbath became respected again. ozzy may have a point. idk though

Zach S Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 12:37 AM

then again, ozzy did leave a couple of times before being kicked out, and he has prevented future projects with the original line (if you believe geezer and iommi), while iommi did stick it through and remained in the band. i guess it really depends on if ozzy truly wants the brand name to be owned by all 4 members, or if he (aka sharon) just wants to own 50% and cash in some dough.

what is truly sad about this, as well as recent comments from iommi and geezer about the hassle of working with ozzy, is that now we may not get to see the original sabbath perform together again. truly said.

WTF Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Quite a few years ago I saw that Sharon bought part of Livenation! I bet that has ALOT to do with it! She helped Ozzy at the beginning of his solo career and now she has ruined it…

WTF Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 5:14 PM

I forgot to add that by Iommi suing Livenation he is suing Sharon….hence the lawsuit by Ozzy(aka Sharon). It is sad no more original lineup!

DOOMBIRD Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 4:19 PM

My friend Ozzy you are governed by a beautiful devil who is your life partner.

Ozzy Ozbourne Says:
October 27th, 2009 at 10:47 AM

im the prince of darkness and with 4 members split evenily means i get half bitches fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Sanabria Says:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:48 AM

I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for all the hard work. Sara

2 Trackbacks For This Post

UPDATED: I’M SO SICK OF WRITING ABOUT WHAT A PRICK OZZY HAS BECOME… | MetalSucks Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 11:41 AM

[...] Our friend Dan Rodriguez over at Metal Insider has a much more detailed explanation. Check it [...]

Movie Bloody Movie: Iommi To Score Horror Franchise | Metal Insider Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 PM

[...] to hear what Iommi comes up with. Actually, considering he’s been making more appearances in court than in a studio lately, it’ll be great to hear any recorded output from him. [...]

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Pete Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
You mean SHARON is banking on a big payday, right?
Zach S Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:01 PM
ozzy has just released a personal statement regarding the lawsuit.
read it hear:
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/29/ozzy-osbourne-releases-statement-on-black-sabbath-suit/

i have to say that while it looks a little scummy to do such a lawsuit, ozzy (or whoever wrote the statement on his behalf) makes some very good points and makes me doubt whether who is right or wrong. iommi did tarnish the sabbath name for a while with the “axl rose like” treatment, and it wasnt until the original lineup got back together that sabbath became respected again. ozzy may have a point. idk though
Zach S Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 12:37 AM
then again, ozzy did leave a couple of times before being kicked out, and he has prevented future projects with the original line (if you believe geezer and iommi), while iommi did stick it through and remained in the band. i guess it really depends on if ozzy truly wants the brand name to be owned by all 4 members, or if he (aka sharon) just wants to own 50% and cash in some dough.

what is truly sad about this, as well as recent comments from iommi and geezer about the hassle of working with ozzy, is that now we may not get to see the original sabbath perform together again. truly said.
WTF Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Quite a few years ago I saw that Sharon bought part of Livenation! I bet that has ALOT to do with it! She helped Ozzy at the beginning of his solo career and now she has ruined it…
WTF Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I forgot to add that by Iommi suing Livenation he is suing Sharon….hence the lawsuit by Ozzy(aka Sharon). It is sad no more original lineup!
DOOMBIRD Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
My friend Ozzy you are governed by a beautiful devil who is your life partner.
Ozzy Ozbourne Says:
October 27th, 2009 at 10:47 AM
im the prince of darkness and with 4 members split evenily means i get half bitches fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
Sanabria Says:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:48 AM
I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for all the hard work. Sara

UPDATED: I’M SO SICK OF WRITING ABOUT WHAT A PRICK OZZY HAS BECOME… | MetalSucks Says:
May 29th, 2009 at 11:41 AM
[...] Our friend Dan Rodriguez over at Metal Insider has a much more detailed explanation. Check it [...]
Movie Bloody Movie: Iommi To Score Horror Franchise | Metal Insider Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 PM
[...] to hear what Iommi comes up with. Actually, considering he’s been making more appearances in court than in a studio lately, it’ll be great to hear any recorded output from him. [...]