KISS Sell Their Catalog and Brand Name

It has been reported that KISS have sold their catalog along with their brand name and their IP to a Swedish company called Pophouse Entertainment Group in an estimated deal of over $300m.

During their final show, KISS revealed digital avatars of themselves using cutting edge technology created by George Lucas' special effects company Industrial Light & Magic which is in partnership with Pophouse.

The way the avatars are to be utilised has yet to be announced but Pophouse have advised that fans can expect a biopic, documentary and a KISS experience.

Pophouse have advised that the intention of the brand and catalog purchase is to expose the KISS legacy to new generations.

Pophouse CEO Per Sundin says:

"The record companies, the three big ones that are left, they’re doing a fantastic job, but they have so many catalogs and they can’t focus on everything. We work together with Universal (Music Group) and Kiss, even though we will own the artists rights, and we're doing it in conjunction with Kiss. But yes, we bought all rights, and that's not something I've seen that clear before"

Gene Simmons goes on to say:

"I don't like the word acquisition. Collaboration is exactly what it’s about. It would be remiss in our inferred fiduciary duty — see what I just did there? — to the thing that we created to abandon it. People might misunderstand and think, ‘OK, now Pophouse is doing that stuff and we’re just in Beverly Hills twiddling our thumbs.’ No, that’s not true. We’re in the trenches with them. We talk all the time. We share ideas. It’s a collaboration. Paul (Stanley) and I especially, with the band, we’ll stay committed to this. It’s our baby. No more live touring, for real. We’re not going to tour again as Kiss, period. We’re not going to go put the makeup on and go out there."