Gene Simmons on trademarking the metal horns: "Actually, bitch, I can"
[Photo credit: Facebook/@officialgenesimmons]
KISS' Gene Simmons says he can do “anything he wants to do” when it comes to his much-maligned attempt to trademark the famed “rock on” or “devil horns” hand gesture. Read what the long-tongued rocker has to say below!
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As previously reported by AP, the longtime KISS frontman and palpable cow look-alike made waves in June for his since-withdrawn venture to trademark the iconic “Sign Of The Horns” signal. Simmons' application with the U.S. Patent And Trademark Offices sought ownership of the gesture in the cases of “entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist.”
Simmons, who claims he's been raising the horns since 1974, quickly received flak from the rock-and-roll public on his endeavor to “own” such a ubiquitous gesticulation. After all, as pointed out by io9, Simmons' own “rock horns” move is actually just Spider-Man's web-throwing hand (or the “I love you” signal), not the actual rock-and-roll horns hand gesture.
As KISS fans are aware, Simmons is something of a business tycoon in addition to his long history with the '70s rock icons—he already owns numerous other trademarks. Now, in a new interview with the Windsor Star (as highlighted by the NME), The Demon makes clear he'll do whatever he wants when it comes to overarching trademark applications.
“People said, 'You can’t do that,'” Simmons reveals of his “metal horns” trademark attempts. “Actually, bitch—I can. I can do anything I want to do.”
“Did you know I own the money bag logo?” asks Simmons. “The dollar sign with the bag of money. I own all kinds of things. I own 'motion pictures' as a trademark. Anyone who thinks that's silly—the silliest thing I've ever done is wear more makeup and higher heels than your mommy.”
Why does Simmons own the trademark for the term “motion pictures” or a “money bag” symbol? Your guess is as good as ours. SPIN reveals that the KISS bassist does, in fact, own a trademark on some sort of clip-art-style “money bag” image. (They cast doubt on his “motion pictures” trademark claim.)
Regardless, none of this talk is stopping Simmons from doing ANYTHING. HE. WANTS. TO. DO. Proposed “rock horns” ownership, and ostensible “motion pictures” and “money bag” trademarks included. He doing it.
“I regret nothing,” Simmons says. “Wake up every morning and let your conscience be your guide.”
Rock on, then, Gene.
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