Ozzy Osbourne Sues Ex-Bandmate 2009-05-30 by jingledeath | 20 Comments | Ozzy Osbourne has issued the following statement in response to his lawsuit against Tony Iommi over the Black Sabbath name.
"Below is my official press statement on the official Black Sabbath trademark lawsuit. I am very saddened that I've had to take legal action against Tony. This is something that I've tried to avoid for years. I am not Geezer or Bill's voice. However, till the day I die I will not change my mind on this issue. The Black Sabbath trademark should be equally owned by Geezer, Bill, Tony and I as the true Black Sabbath lineup is Tony, Geezer, Bill and I. We've all been mates since school. I've always said there is an invisible thread that holds us together. Tony, lets get this ridiculous issue sorted and move on with our lives. You're 61, I'm 60. I hope that we've got a good 20 years left in us. But if not, God forbid something happens to you. What's going to happen to the Black Sabbath trademark? Who's going to oversee it? Don't you think after we're long gone the rights should stay in your family, my family, Bill's family and Geezer's family?"
Official statement from 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 Fame 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."
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Tagged: Black Sabbath
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legal issues and money have a way of tearing people apart
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I wonder what Dio's take is on this
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yeah Dio could probably solve this by slaying a dragon or 3
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or 4
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I actually kind of agree with Ozzy. He's got some good points.
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He does indeed, but still...
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Phantom, who's the chick in the avatar?
She's hawt.
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lol bitter 'cos new Heaven and Hell is better than anything he can do nowadays
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Tony Iommi reportedly slain with Conan sword.
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dio > you
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Fuck Dio. Ozzy makes some excellent points, mainly that Black Sabbath in its true form is himself, Tony, Geezer and Bill
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great points Sharo..... I mean Ozzy.
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Split four ways? Wasn't he originally asking for 50%? Four ways makes sense.
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Money is for the simple-minded.
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Quite true. Excessive amounts of money, like Ozzy has, anyway.
This lawsuit is extremely petty and stupid.
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News title should read:
Sharon "The Cunt" Osbourne sues Tony Iommi
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Ozzy makes good points here. Hopefully it'll all work out.
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Ozzy makes good points here. Hopefully it'll all work out.
This ^^
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Money is for the simple-minded.
except when you don't have it you will appreciate what it's worth
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Ozzy (Sharon) has some good points, but the fact of the matter is that Ozzy got kicked the fuck out of the band in the late 70's. Iommi's the only original member left and owns the name, so tough luck. If Ozzy had wanted to still have rights to the band name he'd have gotten sober 20 years earlier and not have gotten thrown out.
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