This Symbol Is Not For Sale!

630x400devilsign
630x400devilsign

Gene Simmons

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gene Simmons of KISS, wants to trademark a recognizable rock symbol of “devil horns”. Gene Simmons says it’s his symbol.  Lauren Marks, 97.7 The River, a long time on air personality and fan of rock and heavy metal, states she is agitated by “pompous idiots like this that PRESUME they can buy anything and everything just to call dibs on it! ”

It’s multiple uses include the American Sign Language for “I love you”, to the “expulsion of demons ” and “removal of obstacles like sickness and negative thoughts” by Gautama Buddha. (Wikipedia)

If you are a fan of Heavy Metal, perhaps the person best known for popularizing the “devil horns” is Ronnie James Dio. He used it on tour with Black Sabbath in 1979, and became synonymous with it throughout his musical career. Dio says in an 2001 interview with Metal-Rules.com,

Frontman Ronnie James Dio

“I was in Sabbath at the time. It was a symbol that I thought was reflective of what that band was supposed to be all about. It’s NOT the devil’s sign like we’re here with the devil. It’s an Italian thing I got from my Grandmother called the “Malocchio”. It’s to ward off the Evil Eye or to give the Evil Eye, depending on which way you do it. It’s just a symbol but it had magical incantations and attitudes to it and I felt it worked very well with Sabbath. “

Talking with Lauren Marks about this symbol, that it’s recognizable all over the world, “How can any one person claim ownership over it? It’s an ego thing, ‘this is mine so I am better than you and now you have to pay  me to use my symbol.’ ” Gene Simmons filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this past Friday and is awaiting work on the approval.  Simmons is not the first to try however, according to The Hollywood Reporter article by Eriq Gardener, 

Former professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page has tried (to enforce trademark rights). Some reported that he had sued Jay Z over the “Roc-A-Fella Hand Gesture,” alleging it was a trademark infringement of his “Diamond Cutter hand gesture…”

According to records, the case was settled by the Trademarks office.  For all intensive purposes, the U.S. Patent and trademark Office “would consider the likelihood of confusion and, possibly, whether it’s too generic to be associated with Simmons.”

Lauren says, “Here’s hoping money can’t buy everything!”

Read the full  The Hollywood Reporter article

 

 

 

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