Ozzy and Sharon, this is really one for the jerk files. Why now? Why ever?
Rolling Stone:
Osbourne’s suit seeks a 50 percent stake in the “Black Sabbath” trademark. Furthermore, the filing claims Osbourne is entitled to a portion of the profits Iommi has generated through use of the band name, and suggests it was Osbourne’s “signature lead vocals” that helped propel the band’s “extraordinary success.” The suit also points out that Sabbath’s popularity took a nosedive during Ozzy’s absence during 1980 and 1996, when former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio took over behind the mike stand.
Actually, Sabbath's popularity tanked after the release of their sixth album Sabotage, and considerably more through their next two dreadful excursions with Ozzy still at the mic, Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die. Their commercial and artistic stature was reinstated when Ronnie James Dio took over for 1980's Heaven and Hell and 1981's Mob Rules, both more successful outings with regards to quality and quantity than their predecessors. Ronnie James Dio could sue on the very same grounds, but we all know how ridiculous that would sound.
Furthermore, Tony Iommi spent most of the 1980s trying to record with different lineups under names that weren't Black Sabbath, only to have the record company insist that it be called that if he wanted his album to see the light of day.
Anyway, who knows if this will make it to court and how it will play out if it does, but Max's Court of Metal rules in favor of the defendant. Dismissed!
