Former Black Sabbath stars Ozzy Osbourne And Tony Iommi have “amicably resolved” a legal battle over the band's name.

In May 2009, Osbourne sued the band's guitarist, claiming he had illegally assumed ownership of the group's name.

The singer was seeking equal ownership of Black Sabbath's trademark between himself, Iommi and fellow members Geezer Butler and Bill Ward

But in a joint statement yesterday (July 20), the pair said they had settled heir dispute.

"Both parties are glad to put this behind them and to cooperate together for the future and would like it to be known that the issue was never personal, it was always business," the statement read.

The resolution comes just two months after the death of Black Sabbath's Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Osbourne in the group.

(by Jason Gregory)