Gene Simmons files application for trademark on “devil signal” hand gesture

Gene Simmons files application for trademark on “devil signal” hand gesture

has reported that KISS co-founder, bassist and singer Gene Simmons has filed an application to obtain the trademark for a hand gesture known in rock circles as the “devil signal.”

The Application Filing Date is apparently June 9, 2017 and the description of the mark is as follows: “The mark consists of a hand gesture with the index and small fingers extended upward and the thumb extended perpendicular.” The application states that the hand gesture is for “Entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist” and was first in use on November 14, 1974.

The Hollywood Reporter provided some details on some of the obstacles awaiting Simmons as it stated: “On the road to registration, Simmons might have other obstacles besides John Lennon. Among them could be how in certain Mediterranean cultures, the horns — or “rock on” — gesture is, in the words of The New York Post, “made to a man to imply that his wife is cheating on him.” Whether or not that matters is possibly impacted by the U.S. Supreme Court‘s upcoming ruling in Tam v. Lee. Then again, maybe Simmons is saying “I love you,” but if so, those who use sign language might not love what he’s doing. An even bigger question is the extent to which Simmons could enforce trademark rights even if his registration is accepted.”

You can read the rest of the article at The Hollywood Reporter.