Ozzy Osbourne Facing Copyright Lawsuit After Posting Photos of Himself

Ozzy Osbourne attends the Ozzy Osbourne Album Special on SiriusXM's Ozzy's Boneyard Channel in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 29, 2022. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SiriusXM

“Black Sabbath” frontman Ozzy Osbourne is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit from renowned rock music photographer Neil Zlozower.

The complaint filed on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles federal court, claims the 76-year-old illegally posted unlicensed photos of himself—taken by Zlozower—to various social media accounts.

According to the lawsuit Zlozower alleges Osbourne did not seek permission or pay a licensing fee when he posted the images to his social media accounts.

The complaint notes Osbourne’s has over 12 million followers on Facebook, and over 6 million followers on Instagram, and over 5 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, “all of which are monetized and provide significant financial benefits.”

“Without permission or authorization from Plaintiff, Defendant volitionally copied and displayed the Photographs on the Accounts as part of on-line social media posts,” states the complaint.

The photos in question extend as far back as 1974, when Zlozower first published a photograph of the English singer-songwriter performing at the Cal Jam music festival.

Others include several staged portraits of the rock star alongside musician Zakk Wylde and guitarist Randy Rhoads and more.

Despite the images being of Osbourne himself, Zlozower maintains he is the legal and rightful owner of certain photographs that he commercially licenses.

“Plaintiff’s photographs are original, creative works in which Plaintiff owns protectable copyright interests,” reads the suit.

“Zlozower created the Photographs with the intention of them being used commercially and for the purpose of display and/or public distribution ... Plaintiff acquired the rights in and to the Photographs by way of written assignment.”

The lawsuit says that Zlozower attempted to reach out to Osbourne on multiple occasions in 2024, to address his concerns directly and have the photos removed in an effort to avoid potential litigation.

“Despite Plaintiff’s efforts and willingness to address Defendant’s infringing activity, Defendant failed to respond, and Plaintiff was forced to seek judicial intervention for Defendant’s infringing activity,” read the documents.

This isn’t the first instance in which Zlozower has taken legal action against copyrighted photos of famous faces he has taken in the past.

According to Billboard, Zlozower has filed over 50 copyright lawsuits over the course of his career. Some have ended in settlements, although the outcome of most have not been publicly detailed.

The Epoch Times has reached out to attorney’s for both parties involved for comment.

The lawsuit comes as Osbourne is set to take the stage with his band for one final show during a fundraising concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5.

However, due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease along with other spinal injuries, the musician took a hiatus from touring but in recent days reaffirmed he can still sing despite not being able to walk.