Gene Simmons has withdrawn his application to trademark the devil horns hand gesture used by many rock and metal fans all over the world.
The original papers filed at US Patent and Trademark Office have been updated and say that Simmons’ claim has been abandoned.
The papers read, “The owner of the trademark application withdrew (e.g. abandoned) the application and the application is no longer active.”
The Hollywood Reporter originally said that the bassist and vocalist claimed he first used the hand gesture in November, 1974, during the band’s Hotter Than Hell tour.
However, Simmons told issue 196 of Classic Rock that he got the inspiration for the devil horns from Spider-Man and the way he shoots webs from his wrists.
Simmons said, “We laid down the templates. When you see bands rocking out in sync, that’s us. When you see bands putting up that two-fingered devil horn salute, that started with KISS.”
When asked if it was Ronnie James Dio who actually started it, Simmons replied, “Well, I’ve heard Ronnie say that to my face and I said, ‘God bless you.’ I mean him no ill will, but I think he’s wrong.
Mine came from Spider-Man doing his hand signal, as a homage to him. If you see me in photos, I’m sticking out my thumb. That’s the sign in sign language which means ‘I love you.’”
Ronnie James Dio’s, ex wife and manager, Wendy Dio, told TheWrap that she thought Simmons’ trademark bid was disgusting. She also stated, “[The hand gesture] belongs to everyone; it doesn’t belong to anyone. … It’s a public domain; it shouldn’t be trademarked.”
additional source: Classic Rock via teasrock.com
16 Responses
Spider-Gene,Spider-Gene does what ever a blowhard can. Spins a web any size catches trademarks just like flies.
Look out ,here comes the Spider- Gene.
LOL!!
Think I’ll copywrite that one it my homage to Spider-Man
Hehe