Gene Simmons made a complete transformation from aging rocker to patent troll last week in trying to trademark the iconic "rock on" devil horns hand gesture. Now, it appears the Kiss frontman has withdrawn his patent application.
The website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office states that the current status of Simmons' case is "abandoned because the applicant filed an express abandonment." Simmons has yet to comment on the status of the application.
Simmons tried to stake a claim on the gesture for for the purpose of "entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist."
As many have been quick to note, John Lennon made the same hand signal on the cover of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine"/"Eleanor Rigby" single, while it's also used to say "I love you" in sign language. Further, it was actually Ronnie James Dio who popularized the gesture in the world of rock music.
The website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office states that the current status of Simmons' case is "abandoned because the applicant filed an express abandonment." Simmons has yet to comment on the status of the application.
Simmons tried to stake a claim on the gesture for for the purpose of "entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical artist; personal appearances by a musical artist."
As many have been quick to note, John Lennon made the same hand signal on the cover of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine"/"Eleanor Rigby" single, while it's also used to say "I love you" in sign language. Further, it was actually Ronnie James Dio who popularized the gesture in the world of rock music.
