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News
| Sunday, May 31, 2009 - Ozzy Osbourne sues Tony Iommi over Black Sabbath band name | The New York Post reports:
Rocker Ozzy Osbourne is going off the rails against one of his Black Sabbath bandmates.
The "Godfather of Heavy Metal" claims guitarist Tony Iommi illegally claimed sole ownership of the band's name, in a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Osbourne is suing Iommi for a 50 percent interest in the "Black Sabbath" trademark, along with a portion of Iommi's profits from use of the name.
The Manhattan federal court suit also charges that Osbourne's "signature lead vocals" are largely responsible for the band's "extraordinary success," noting that its popularity plummeted during his absence from 1980 through 1996.
An official statement from Ozzy reads as follows:
"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 (Butler), Bill (Ward) 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."
Black Sabbath book author comments on the lawsuit:
Writer and musician Joel Gausten, author of the 2007 book The Sabbath Interviews, has issued the following statement regarding Ozzy Osbourne's newly launched trademark lawsuit against former Black Sabbath bandmateTony Iommi:
"So, the internet is exploding with talk of Ozzy's suit against Iommi. As a massive Black Sabbath fan who's had the honor of interviewing several past and present members over the years, I can't resist commenting on this.
For what it's worth:
Ozzy seeking 50% ownership of a band name he had nothing to do with for 16 years is asinine. As someone who loves the post-Ozzy stuff (like The Eternal Idol) as much, if not often more, than the first eight albums, I'd have to say that the TRUE spirit of Black Sabbath will always be with Iommi.
Also, let's not forget the stellar talent who performed in Sabbath in the post-Ozzy years - especially the great Bob Daisley, Eric Singer, Tony Martin and the late Cozy Powell. They were kicking ass and keeping the band going while Ozzy, Geezer and Bill were doing their own thing. These folks were and remain as vital to Sabbath's history than the original four.
And speaking of Bill... here's a guy who GIVES the money earned by the sale of his CDs to charity. Here's a guy who - despite the fact that he was partly responsible for creating Metal as we know it - never once forgot that, deep down, he's just a working class guy from Aston.
If you're a Sabbath fan who FELT every single word of 'Killing Yourself To Live', knew what 'What is this that stands before me?' REALLY meant and understood the human spirit behind 'War Pigs', then skip the nonsense spewing on the Internet and go straight to www.billward.com and get a copy of Bill's CD, Straws."
Some of the money from that CD goes to maintain the cleanliness of the Vietnam Memorial, among other good things.
Maybe Bill's friend should learn by example."
Go to this location for information on Gausten and his work.
More details on the suit are available here. |
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