Simmons claims to have rights over several logos
In an interview with the Windsor Star newspaper, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons was asked if he regretted trying to trademark the maloik, the iconic metal gesture . Following numerous criticisms from the metal community, the musician abandoned the process at the end of June.
“I don’t regret anything ,” Simmons said. “Wake up every day and let your conscience guide you.”
Gene continued: “Did you know I own the rights to the wealth logo? The dollar sign with the money bag. I have a lot of trademarks. I have the term 'motion pictures' as a trademark. For anyone who thinks this might be silly, the silliest thing I ever did was wear makeup and wear heels higher than your mother's. People said, 'You can't do that.' And actually, man, I can. I can do anything I want.”
Gene Simmons faced numerous criticisms after filing the lawsuit. Wendy Dio, Ronnie James Dio's wife, even said that Simmons was making a "fool of himself . Coven's vocalist, Esther 'Jinx' Dawson, threatened to sue the musician if the lawsuit proceeded, and published several photos of the band making the symbol years before Gene Simmons.