Legendary heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, known globally as the 'Prince of Darkness' and a pioneer of the genre, passed away at the age of 76 on July 22. His death was attributed to cardiac arrest and coronary artery disease. Just over a month before his passing, on June 13, documents reveal that Osbourne had filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to officially trademark his famous 'Prince of Darkness' moniker. This strategic move, handled by his UK-based firm Monowise, aimed to protect the nickname against bootleggers for use in 'entertainment services, namely providing non-downloadable pre-recorded music via a website,' and for merchandise such as clothes, games, and accessories. A similar application had already been approved by UK trademark chiefs, though the US requests were pending at the time of his death.

Before his passing, Osbourne had performed what was billed as his farewell gig with his iconic band Black Sabbath on July 5. This final performance was not only a poignant moment for fans but also reportedly raised an impressive £140 million for charity. Despite this being a 'farewell' show, the future might still hold opportunities for fans to 'see' the band on stage. Black Sabbath had previously taken steps to trademark their name in virtual reality, hinting at the possibility of appearing as holograms, much like ABBA's successful 'Voyage' show in London, which has been captivating audiences since 2022.

Following his death, tens of thousands of grieving fans converged in Osbourne's home city of Birmingham to pay their respects at his funeral last Wednesday. They adorned the Black Sabbath Bench on Broad Street with a sea of flowers, heartfelt messages, and various tributes. The Birmingham city council has since begun collecting these poignant offerings, ensuring they will be stored and eventually handed over to the Osbourne family as a 'lasting reminder of the public’s affection and support.'

In the wake of his father's passing, Ozzy's son, Jack Osbourne, shared a deeply emotional tribute on Instagram. Expressing his profound grief, Jack confessed, 'My heart has hurt too much' to post earlier. He kept his message concise, honoring his father's dislike for 'long rambling speeches,' and reflected on the unique bond they shared: 'He was so many things to so many people, but I was so lucky and blessed to be apart of a very small group that got to call him ‘Dad.’’ Jack’s tribute was accompanied by a touching video montage showcasing cherished moments throughout Ozzy’s life, set to his father’s 1983 ballad, 'So Tired.' The montage included snippets from a childhood visit to the Howard Stern show, reality show antics, and intimate family moments, culminating with photos of Ozzy smiling with his children and grandchildren. Jack eloquently summarized his 14,501 days with his father as 'such a blessing,' concluding with a fitting quote from Hunter S. Thompson about living life to the fullest: 'Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body… but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’' He affirmed, 'That was my dad. He lived and he lived his life fully. I love you dad.' This heartfelt message followed a similar outpouring of gratitude from Ozzy’s daughter, Kelly Osbourne, who thanked fans for their overwhelming support, acknowledging that their 'love, support and beautiful messages' had helped carry her through 'the hardest moment of my life.'