Ozzy Osbourne is suing guitarist Tony Iommi, accusing him of falsely assuming ownership of the Sabbath name in a filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The suit contends that Osbourne's "signature vocals" were responsible for the band's "extraordinary success," noting its decline in popularity after he left the first time.
Osbourne is demanding a 50 percent share of the name for himself as well as a split of monies earned while he was not in the band.
Ozzy wrote,......."Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill (Ward, the group's original drummer) 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...
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 60s now.
The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone.
Please do the right thing."
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