Ozzy Wins First Round in Antitrust Fight Against AEG

Score one for Ozzy after a judge this week rejected a bid by AEG to stop him from pursuing an antitrust lawsuit. Ozzy has alleged that AEG is using a practice called "block-booking" to force him to perform at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against his wishes.

Ozzy says that AEG added a provision to his contract that if he played an indoor arena within 25 miles of Los Angeles that was promoted by competitor Live Nation during the tour, he would have to play the AEG-owned Staples Center as well.

He feels that they are blackmailing him into playing their venues that this is effectively a violation of the antitrust laws, which prohibit businesses from gaining a stranglehold on customers.