I know Gene has been the "King" of self promotion and merchandising (KISS Merch) for many years. BUT...

As of the news story I heard tonight, I better give one of these while it is still "Public Domain"
Gene Simmons is trying to get this Trademarked claiming he was the first person to use it back in the 70's (although it has been in American sign language meaning "I Love You" since the 1800's and also is pictured on the Beatles "Yellow Submarine" Album Cover with John's hand oriented in the opposite direction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Sub......over.jpg

I know Gene is the king of merchandising, but this is a bit ridiculous. Rock on (cause you are off your rocker Gene)

Now, my questions are - (A) Can you really trademark something like this?
(I remember a big issue not too long ago (a year or two maybe) about a song sounding a bit like a Tom Petty song and him getting paid a good bit because his "tune" was used).

And (B) If he did somehow get this done, can anyone be penalised for using the gesture? (If so, I have another hand gesture using two less fingers for him)

Since Gene trademarked the money bag several years ago, this doesn't surprise me.

I thought it was the same gesture, it's had me confused awhile as to whether it was or does it only use the index and pinky finger? Don't some call that the "sign of the beast" ? I see some google references to the "horned hand" so I think maybe it's not the same as the I love you sign language.

I know Elvis used the "I love you" sign. Maybe you're confusing him and Gene Simmons.

Thanks for making me finally look that up, I think.

Technically, Elvis used the "aloha" thumb and pinky, but it, too, can denote "i love you".

So ol Gene is bored huh?

The late, great Ronnie James Dio was the first rocker I ever saw use it extensively (and it stayed closely associated with him for the rest of his life).

He said making the gesture had been his Italian grandmother's traditional way of warding off the "Evil Eye."

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter and the Beatles were his fans. I think we will find it published in one of his old books.

If it's anyone's, it's Dio's.

Trump, hillary, and simmons. the very best of the baby boomers.

Better be careful using those first two names. Could get this thread deleted - or worse - get you banned from the Café.

(The rules state: no politics).

And in keeping with the musical theme, here is a live early (1981) performance by Ozzy Osbourne of his modern classic "Mr Crowley":
https://youtu.be/G3LvhdFEOqs

The rock connection to that hand symbol belongs to Dio as Karnak correctly stated.

Only someone with an ego like Simmons would claim otherwise.

It is a sign used in a game played by surrealist artists, who were indeed occult magicians. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Surrealist......70620849

It is all about being anti-rational - like magic.