Ozzy Osbourne Suing Former Bandmate!
In a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Godfather of Metal Ozzy Osbourne is suing Black Sabbath guitarist, Tony Iommi, for allegedly claiming sole ownership of the band's name.
Osbourne is looking to receive 50% interest in the Black Sabbath trademark as his "signature lead vocals" were largely responsible for their success.
When Ozzy left the band in 1980, the popularity of their popularity significantly declined until he returned in the late '90s
We get it, but Ozzy has a ton of money! We feel sorry for anyone still trying to milk Black Sabbath's success!
Poor Iommi! Get a new gig!
Update: The following official statement has just been released by Ozzy Osbourne:
“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.”
[Image via WENN.]
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SOUNDS LIKE THIS WAS SHARON'S IDEA!
The popularity of their popularity?
Bitch is crazy!
Poor Iommi? You might want to research that Perez. He founded the band, wrote damn near all their music, with Geezer Butler (the bass player) contributing pretty much ALL of the lyrics.
I would imagine this is more Sharon's doing than Ozzy's.
oh creepy….. i think i saw dead man!!!!!!!
omg…….i am really scared………is it a dead man? vampire? ghost?
it is staring at me…………eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! i am really scared.
Tony Iommi already has a new gig…. it's called "HEAVEN & HELL".
Why is Ozzy suing for 50% of the Trademark yet in his statement posted on his site says that the name should be shared by all 4 original members???
Iommi IS SABBATH!
LIKE HE REALLY NEEDS THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
OOOHHH BLOODY HELL!
Fuck Ozzy. He didn't 'leave' the band Tony kicked him out because he was a drug-addled douchebag.
Hello— CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!!!!
He (Iommi) owns the "name" Black Sabbath..he does "use" the name–he does have his own gig "Heaven and Hell". Perez of all people should know about trademark infringement.
If you knew ANYTHING..you would know the Ozzy is a mere puppet/shell of a man. AND is was indeed Geezer Butler who wrote all those classic Sabbath songs. By the way- Geezer still plays with "Iommi"..so do I need to draw you a map? Ozzy and his clan are greedy bastards who sold out a long, long time ago and ruined/ forever tarnished all the cool stuff he has ever done.
yeah like ozzy- sharon - didnt rip off bob daisley and co
that sharon is a total biatch
The popularity of their popularity? More evidence of Perez' journalistic excellence! I can't wait for his Book, titled "We wrote this Book this Book"
Ozzy is turning into Diane Keaton.
Ohhhhh I love Ozzy but this one is a tuff call!!! If it wasn't for sabbath Ozzy would be who he is today..or vice versa, eventhough Ozzy adn Randy were a very successful team he needs to thank Iommi and Geez for who he is. Heaven & hell is awesome though I love Dio. Ugh last night I had a dream that I was banging Eddie Van Halen… why oh why?!?!?
Sorry Perez, but I'm with Ozzy on this one. Ozzy IS Black sabbath-he MADE that band, and as they found out, they're nothing without him.
Poor Ozzy, he looks embalmed on that pic!
I totally agree with MindyD! Ozzy made Black Sabbath. With a voice like Ozzy's, there was no doubt he would make it big with or without Black Sabbath. I think he only asked for 50% because the others haven't joined in his lawsuit. They Should! The name and all merchandise should be divided by the 4 of them.
You know it's his jew wife Sharon who's behind this. By the way, what does "the popularity of their popularity" mean???
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I SWEAR I THOUGHT THAT WAS PENNY MARSHALL!!!
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SHARON NEED'S MORE MONEY….HATE THAT BITCH!!!!
HEAVEN AND HELL SONG BIBLE BLACK IS AMAZING….FUCK OZZY!!!
nice bifocals
THE POPULARITY OF THEIR POPULARITY
Re: Fawk u and ur issues – Love your insight! And the part part about your dream last night.
Sounds interesting. In response to this article: I think if Ozzy really is doing this for ALL the members of Black Sabbath to gain an equal percentage of interest in the the merchandise sold under the Black Sabbath name, then its a positive thing. I agree that Tony is an incredible member of the band, but despite who named the band or whatever, its a success because of ALL of them. It could be all about the money too, but who's to say? Its all just speculation.
HEAVEN & HELL is Black Sabbath
wow
I'm with ozzy also, As long as the end is that all members recieve equal amounts, then its a good thing for all.
AGREED. OZZY IS RIGHT. TONY, YOU ARE A DOUCHE BAG, YOU NEED TO SAVE YOURSELF AND GAIN YOUR KARMA BACK BY DOING THE RIGHT THING. OTHERWISE YOU'LL BE DOOMED TO AN EVEN SHITTIER LIFE AND WHEN YOU DIE, THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE. BE A GOOD PERSON, AND DON'T BE A PRICK.
WE LOVE YOU OZZY!!!
OZZY ROCKS. FUCK ALL THE NAY SAYERS.
THIS TONY DUDE NEEDS A BIG PUNCH IN THE FACE. HEY MAN, DO YOU REALLY WANT TO FUCK WITH KARMA AND DIE EARLY BECAUSE YOU'RE A BIG FAT LIAR!?
PEOPLE… IF YOU DON'T LIVE A TRUE LIFE, YOU WILL GET FUCKED BY KARMA AT SOME POINT. IT WON'T BE PRETTY. AND YOU WILL DESERVE IT.
OZZY, WE LOVE YOU!!
Dude better watch out Ozzy will bite his head off!
Old fart is as rich as Midas and needs to get over himself. but bet that loud bitch known as his wife is behind this.
Popular.. what popular this is the family who sold their dirty messy dysfunctional lives to realtiy TV to make millions.Get over it already.They are more famous for reality TV then ever he was for music. There were always far better heavy rockers around>Iron Maiden for a start.
I hope they will split it equally!
Iommi wouldn´t be where he is without the other bandmates.
How can he give his side of the story? Nobody can bloody understand him.
Love OZZY!
FUck that, this has Sharon's name written all over it!
It doesn't matter if Ozzy has a ton of money. He's right. All four original members should own the name equally.
Ozzy looks great in this pic.
His greedy jew bitch wife is certainly behind this.