Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi Resolve Black Sabbath Name Problems

Alas, the hatchet has been buried -- and not in each other's backs! Black Sabbath principals Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi were swinging legal battle axes in court, but are pleased to announce that they have amicably resolved their recent problems involving the ownership of the Black Sabbath name, and court proceedings in New York have been discontinued. Ozzy had filed suit against Iommi in federal court last May, alleging that Iommi illegally claimed the band name; Iommi responded that he was the only one who has been a member of the band for the 41 years that Black Sabbath has existed and that the bandmates relinquished their rights in the 1980s. Ozzy had been seeking 50 percent ownership of the trademark and it was said that he hoped the name ownership would eventually be split equally among all four members.

Ozzy's publicity ream revealed the news that the suit has been laid to rest early this morning. While lead singer/guitarist battles are at the heart of much of rock 'n' roll lore, Ozzy and Iommi also wanted fans to know that their legal tussle was always about business and that it was not personal.

The official statement also indicated that both parties are glad to put this behind them and to cooperate together for the future. Could another Black Sabbath reunion be on the horizon? We can only hope.

This is a bit of necessary good news in the Osbourne camp, which has been plagued with drama in the past week. Ozzy's daughter Kelly recently broke up with her model fiance amid allegations of cheating on his part. To add insult to injury, Woody, one of her beloved pooches, passed away on Sunday, as well.

Catch Ozzy on the road this August when the resurrected Ozzfest hits the road for six dates in August.