It’s Not Like Ozzy Needs the Money, Right
It looks like Ozzy has had enough of not being able to cash in with the Black Sabbath brand, and now he is going to do something about it, not that matters since I really don’t think the Black Sabbath brand is worth a whole hell of a lot these days.
Really, how much is the Black Sabbath name really worth, it’s not like there is a demand for their music, memorabilia, T-shirts, and other stuff. And when was the last time you heard a Black Sabbath tune on a television commercial?
Come on now Ozzy, the Black Sabbath name ain’t worth shit buddy, and 50 per cent of virtually nothing adds up to virtually nothing.
The drug and alcohol addicted Godfather of Metal, has filed a claim with the US Patent and Trademark Office, asking for 50 per cent in the Black Sabbath trademark.
He claims, and rightfully so, that it was his signature lead vocals that was responsible for the band’s success back in the day, and most recently in the late 90s.
But like I implied earlier, the band ain’t all that when it comes to revenue generating, and if Ozzy follows through with this action, it is going to cost him more money than he and his band mates could ever make from the Black Sabbath name.
Somebody has given Ozzy some bad advice (likely his wife Sharon), and now he looks like a bigger fool than he thinks the public already perceives him as being.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Ozzy should be able to cash in on the Black Sabbath name.
He should be able to share in whatever meager profits the brand is churning out, but at the end of the day if Ozzy follows through with this, I think you’ll find that the cost of pursuing 50 per cent of the Black Sabbath brand is going to far outweigh the profits.
Of course if I was in Ozzy shoes, I wouldn’t let Tony Iommi be an a-hole about who owns the Black Sabbath name, and I would likely go after him too. I just don’t think I would be going after him via legal channels.
If I was 60-some-odd years of age, and had more than enough money to see me through the rest of my life, I’m thinking I might lay a beating on Iommi instead of wasting money to mount a legal challenge as to owns the name “Black Sabbath“. Why waste money on something that ain’t making any money, that’s what I say.
Nothing like a good old fashioned shit kicking to make your point and sometimes get what you want.
Just my opinion.
Ozzy’s official statement:
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 Fames 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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