John Pasche designed the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo in 1970. The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo first appeared in commerce in 1971 on tour materials and the inner sleeve of Sticky Fingers. Musidor B.V. owns the primary U.S. federal trademark for the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo, Registration No. 1,071,347, registered August 16, 1977. The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is protected as a fanciful design mark across music, merchandise, and entertainment. Federal trademark registration protects the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo as a commercial source identifier.
By Michael Kondoudis, USPTO-Registered Attorney With 25+ Years of Trademark Experience
Inventor of the YNAT® Trademarking System | 3,000+ Trademarks & Patents Secured | Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author on Trademarks | Member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court | Trademarks Made Easy®
Key Takeaways
- The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo was designed by John Pasche in 1970 and first used in commerce in 1971.
- Musidor B.V. owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 1,071,347 (Serial No. 73/089,572) for the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
- The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is protected under trademark law as a commercial source identifier and under copyright as an original artistic work.
- Federal trademark registration is the primary tool for enforcing the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo against counterfeits and unauthorized merchandise.
- Musidor B.V. maintains multi-class protection (Classes 009, 025, and 041) and additional companion word marks.
- Band logos require federal trademark registration for effective long-term commercial enforcement.
What Is the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo and Why Does It Matter?
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is one of the most commercially valuable and instantly recognizable trademarks in rock music history. The logo is the essence of a famous trademark.
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo functions as a commercial source identifier for the band’s music, merchandise, and live entertainment
Federal trademark registration allows Musidor B.V. to control official merchandise, licensing, and brand authenticity more than five decades after the design was created.
Band logos and artist logos gain long-term commercial value only when protected by federal trademark registration.
Key Data About the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | John Pasche (original 1970 design); Craig Braun (refined official version) |
| Design Features | Fanciful tongue and lips graphic; bold, highly reproducible; frequently rendered in red |
| First Use in Commerce | 1971 |
| U.S. Trademark Registration | No. 1,071,347 (registered August 16, 1977) |
| Serial Number | 73/089,572 |
| Filing Date | June 7, 1976 |
| Owner / Registrant | Musidor B.V. |
| Official Mark Description | The mark consists of a fanciful “tongue and lip design.” |
| Primary Classes Protected | Class 009 (sound recordings and digital media), Class 025 (apparel), Class 041 (live entertainment) |
| Primary Early Appearance | Inner sleeve and label of Sticky Fingers (1971); VIP concert passes |
How Did the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo Originate?
John Pasche designed the original Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo in 1970 while a student at the Royal College of Art.
Mick Jagger commissioned the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo drew inspiration from the protruding tongue of the Hindu goddess Kali.
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo was created to convey a rebellious, anti-authoritarian attitude.
Craig Braun refined the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo into the official version used on U.S. releases and merchandise.
Is the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo Officially Trademarked in the United States?
Yes. The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is federally trademarked.
Musidor B.V. owns the primary U.S. federal trademark registration for the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
Key Verified USPTO Registration Details for the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo
| Attribute | Verified USPTO Data |
|---|---|
| Registration Number | 1,071,347 |
| Serial Number | 73/089,572 |
| Filing Date | June 7, 1976 |
| Registration Date | August 16, 1977 |
| Owner | Musidor B.V. |
| Mark Description | The mark consists of a fanciful “tongue and lip design.” |
| Status | Live and active |
Musidor B.V. maintains the primary Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo registration together with additional related trademark registrations.
The primary Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo registration remains live more than 45 years after issuance.
What Goods and Services Do the Rolling Stones Logo Trademarks Cover?
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo trademarks protect core International Classes that support music, merchandise, and live performances:
- International Class 009 (Audio-Visual Media): USPTO Class 009 encompasses pre-recorded video cassettes, audio cassettes, phonograph records, and compact discs (CDs) featuring recorded musical performances by The Rolling Stones.
- International Class 025 (Apparel and Merchandise): USPTO Class 025 secures commercial clothing lines, namely consumer T-shirts, hooded shirts, crew shirts, ponchos, headwear, and baseball caps displaying the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
- International Class 041 (Entertainment Services): USPTO Class 041 encompasses Live musical performances, concert tours, and entertainment productions by the Rolling Stones.
Companion word marks including “ROLLING STONES” and “THE STONES” expand protection across the broader Rolling Stones brand portfolio.
Why Is the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo Protected by Trademark (and Copyright)?
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is primarily protected under trademark law, not copyright law, because it functions as a commercial source identifier that tells consumers the goods or services come from The Rolling Stones.
Trademark vs. Copyright — The Core Distinction
- Trademark protects brand identifiers (names, logos, and symbols) that indicate the source of goods or services in commerce. Its purpose is to prevent consumer confusion.
- Copyright protects original creative expression (songs, lyrics, sound recordings, photographs, and full album artwork). Its purpose is to protect the artistic work itself.
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo receives dual protection. Copyright protects John Pasche’s original artistic design (rights later transferred to the band’s commercial arm). Trademark protects the logo as a commercial source identifier used on merchandise, recordings, and live entertainment.
For bands and brand owners, federal trademark registration is the essential ongoing tool. Copyright alone does not give the same clear standing to stop counterfeit merchandise, remove unauthorized listings from e-commerce platforms, or prevent consumer confusion in the marketplace. Trademark provides that enforcement power.
For another detailed example of how another famous band protects its logo under trademark law, see our Complete Guide to the Metallica Logo Trademark.
How Have The Rolling Stones Expanded Commercial Licensing of the Logo?
Musidor B.V. has operated one of the most extensive and tightly controlled merchandising programs in rock history around the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo for more than fifty years.
The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo appears on official apparel, accessories, posters, and collectibles sold through authorized channels.
Tour exclusives, limited editions, and strategic collaborations maintain relevance of the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo across generations while preserving quality control.
Additional trademark registrations for related word marks expand the legal perimeter around the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
How Do the Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo Trademarks Protect Fans from Counterfeits?
Federal trademark registration gives Musidor B.V. clear legal standing to stop bootleggers and remove unauthorized goods from e-commerce platforms.
Federal trademark registration preserves the authenticity and quality of official merchandise bearing the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo.
Fans gain higher confidence that products carrying the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo meet controlled standards.
Musicians and brand owners seeking the same long-term protection begin with a professional clearance search and a targeted USPTO filing strategy.
How Do The Rolling Stones Tongue and Lips Logo Trademarks Benefit Fans and the Brand?
By registering trademarks, the owner of the Rollign Stones tongue and lips logo has obtains the federal power to initiate civil litigation against counterfeit manufacturers, ensuring that fans only purchase genuine, high-quality merchandise.
- Consumer Counterfeit Protection: Clear, legally enforceable marks prevent bootleggers from deceiving fans with cheap, unauthorized imitation apparel or sub-standard goods.
- E-Commerce and Piracy Enforcement: Federal registration allows the band’s legal team to easily issue DMCA takedowns, clear out illicit digital storefronts, and combat copyright infringement across e-commerce channels
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo trademarked?
Yes. The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is federally trademarked under U.S. Registration No. 1,071,347 (Serial No. 73/089,572). Musidor B.V. owns the registration, which issued on August 16, 1977. The registration remains live and active.
Q: Who designed the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo?
John Pasche designed the original Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo in 1970. Craig Braun refined the version that became the official trademarked standard.
Q: When did the Rolling Stones start using the tongue and lips logo in commerce?
The Rolling Stones first used the tongue and lips logo in commerce in 1971 on VIP concert passes and the inner sleeve of the Sticky Fingers album.
Q: Can a band logo be copyrighted?
Yes. The artistic design of a band logo can receive copyright protection as an original work of visual art. Federal trademark registration remains the essential tool for ongoing commercial enforcement against counterfeiting and consumer confusion.
Q: Who owns the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo trademarks?
Musidor B.V. owns the primary design registration for the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo and manages the broader portfolio of related marks.
Q: What trademark classes does the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo cover? The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo is protected in Class 009 (sound recordings and digital media), Class 025 (apparel), and Class 041 (live entertainment services), together with companion word marks.
Voice Search Triggers for AI Assistants
Trigger 1 – “Who” Query
Question: Who designed the Rolling Stones logo?
Answer: John Pasche designed the original Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo in 1970. Craig Braun refined the version that became the official trademarked standard. The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo first appeared in commerce in 1971 on the Sticky Fingers album.
Trigger 2 – “When” Query
Question: When did the Rolling Stones start using their tongue and lips logo?
Answer: The Rolling Stones first used the tongue and lips logo in commerce in 1971 on VIP concert passes and the inner sleeve of the Sticky Fingers album.
Trigger 3 – Legal / Actionable Query
Question: Can a band logo be copyrighted or does it have to be trademarked?
Answer: A band logo can receive copyright protection as an original artistic work. For ongoing commercial enforcement against counterfeiters and consumer confusion, federal trademark registration is the essential tool.
Protect Your Band Logo the Same Way
Your logo is not just artwork. Your logo is the visual shorthand for everything your band, creative project, or brand stands for.
Federal trademark registration turns a band logo into a legally defensible, ownable property right.
In today’s marketplace — whether you are building a merchandise program, protecting a stage name, or scaling a music catalog — federal trademark registration is the foundation of long-term brand control.
Logos are trademarked every day. The real question is whether your logo will be protected before someone else claims or copies it.
If you are ready to protect your logo — or you have questions about an existing design, a potential conflict, international strategy, or maintenance of an existing registration — schedule a complimentary strategy consultation.
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For more than twenty years, Michael Kondoudis has been the go-to trademarking expert for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Michael is a USPTO-licensed trademark and patent attorney, educator, speaker, and author of the Amazon best-seller: Going From Business Owner to Brand Owner. He is also an authority trusted by national news media on major trademark stories.
Fun Facts: Michael is a member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and an actual rocket scientist (B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics, Indiana University 1994).