Anthony Iommi, lead guitarist of the rock band Black Sabbath, sued Live Nation Inc. for trademark infringement, charging that a subsidiary illegally sold merchandise using images of the band.

Iommi alleged that Signatures Network Inc., which the Beverly Hills concert promoter acquired last year, has continued to sell merchandise with images of Iommi and Black Sabbath’s trademarked symbol despite expiration of a licensing agreement, according to a complaint obtained by Bloomberg News that was filed Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in New York.

Iommi co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 along with vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. He retained control of the band’s trademarks as the other original members left, Bloomberg said, and is seeking damages of at least three times Signatures’ profits from the merchandise, as well as a halt to product sales.

Live Nation purchased Signatures for $79 million in 2007, giving it rights to license and market merchandise for artists ranging from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

Live Nation shares were down 2 cents, less than 1 percent, to $3.78 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.