OZZY OSBOURNE TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TONY IOMMI

Los Angeles, CA — In a recent turn of events, Ozzy Osbourne has expressed remorse that he has to litigate against long time friend and bandmate, Tony Iommi.  A written statement released by him earlier today he says, "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."  According to an article in the New York Post,  Osbourne's suit is seeking half of the Black Sabbath trademark and sights his involvement and his business team is what helped strengthen the Black Sabbath name and branding in recent years.  
    Osbourne says, "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."  And goes on, "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.  
    This becomes a bigger deal due to Iommi's suit against LiveNation that claims they continued to sell merchandise after the agreement had expired to the tune of over $80 million.  In a more personal note he goes on to appologize that is had to come to this apparently after countless attempts to work it out otherwise, "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."
    Is Ozzy really more concerned about the Black Sabbath Leagacy? Or is the tune of $40M a sweeter backing track?  And if he says the trademark should be owned equally in four parts, why is he seeking 50%? Why can't we all just get along? Well, there are 80 million reasons.  At least we, as the fans, still have our records to cherish and for me, my memories of driving the 395 on fishing trips to Rock Creek with my Granddad while he tollerated "Ironman". 
    He goes on to conclude that, "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."  That seems fair. So the suit should seek equal percentages divided up among all the members, right?

Erik Thureson

Posted by vieking at 5/29/2009 2:29 PM
Categories: uncategorized

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