Black Sabbath In Legal Battle

The former members of Black Sabbath are currently embroiled in a legal dispute over who still owns the rights to the Sabbath name. Ozzy Osbourne is suing Tony Iommi, claiming that the guitarist has been claiming sole rights to the band, which has apparently cost the singer a hefty wedge of merchandise royalties.

The BBC reports that Osbourne is after damages, lost profits and confirmation that the singer is the half-owner of the Sabbath trademark.

In a statement, Ozzy said: "Tony, I am so sorry it's had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. 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."

The bat-worrying frontman's lawyers are claiming that he didn't give up his rights to the name, and that if he did (memories are obviously a bit hazy), it has been Ozzy's hard work and personality that's made Sabbath a going concern into the 21st Century. via