Gene Simmons has dismissed criticism of his attempt to trademark the so-called “devil’s horns” hand gesture as the usual griping from the online peanut gallery.
The KISS bassist/vocalist withdrew his application to trademark the symbol in late June — less than two weeks after filing with the federal copyright office.
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Most music fans slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.
Asked by Canada’s Toronto Sun if he is bothered by the negative feedback he got for trying to trademark the “metal horns” or “rock on” hand sign, Simmons replied: “People got very upset — unqualified, no experience, no resume — those are the people in the peanut gallery. And so people get upset about something when they don’t know the facts. Actually, you can trademark anything. And if nobody objects, I can own every breath of air you take.”
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In his original request, which was filed on June 9, Simmons described the sign as consisting “of a hand gesture with the index and small fingers extended upward and the thumb extended perpendicular.” He paid $275, seeking to use the hand signal symbol for “Entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist.”
Via Blabbermouth.com