An optical boutique has changed its name after being contacted by lawyers for legendary punk band the Sex Pistols.
The Dundee shop trading as Spex Pistols received a ‘cease and desist’ letter last year from representatives of the musicians.
Lawyers highlighted similarities between the boutique’s logo and the group’s while raising objections – and it appeared there was ‘no future’ in keeping the same name under the conditions suggested, to quote one of their most famous lyrics.
Glitterbest, which represents the band, said that following discussions it was agreed that the shop could continue using the name Spex Pistols but with a new logo design.
However, boutique owner Richard Cook decided to rebrand the shop rather than operate according to the terms proposed by the Sex Pistols, who have recently reformed but no longer involve John Lydon – previously known as Johnny Rotten.
Mr Cook has now renamed his shop Land O’Spex in a nod to a former bakery shop Land O’Cakes in Dundee.
Mr Cook said: ‘It is the end of an era for Dundee, but the start of a new chapter for our shop.
‘We have very committed customers who support us because we do things differently. Our focus is always on good customer service.’
An optical boutique in Dundee has changed its name after receiving a letter from lawyers for legendary punk band the Sex Pistols
The band here are seen playing during a riverboat party coinciding with Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 – left to right are the late Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten and Paul Cook
The current line-up of the Sex Pistols comprises (left to right) bass player Glen Matlock, drummer Paul Cook, new singer Frank Carter (front) and guitarist Steve Jones
The shop formerly known as Spex Pistols opened in 2010.
The brand issue arose in 2024 when Mr Cook missed the date to renew his trademark for Spex Pistols for the first time since he obtained the rights in 2012.
Mr Cook said: ‘We missed the renewal of the trademark through unfortunate circumstances but have traded under this name peacefully for 14 years.’
He insisted the shop had ‘never been confused with The Sex Pistols’.
He said: ‘They are a global brand with millions of followers from the punk scene all around the world.
‘We are a wee spectacle shop in the smallest street in Dundee concentrating on serving our modest but loyal customer base as best we can.’
He added that they ‘wanted to find a way to continue as Spex Pistols but, in the end, it was simply easier and cheaper to change the name and brand’.
The Sex Pistols came to fame in the punk boom of the 1970s, with Rotten as singer – attracting controversies such as a sweary interview with TV presenter Bill Grundy while releasing anthems such as Anarchy In The UK and God Save The Queen and their debut album Never Mind The B*****ks, Here’s The Sex Pistols.
Surviving members of the band reformed for concert dates but with Rotten – real name John Lydon – not taking part and replaced on vocals by Frank Carter.
The shop formerly known as Spex Pistols opened in Dundee in 2010
The Sex Pistols’ longstanding logo is seen here on a leather jacket’s pin badge
Among the punk group’s controversies was this sweary appearance on Thames Television’s Today programme, interviewed by presenter Bill Grundy (right) in December 1976
John Lydon, known as Johnny Rotten during the group’s punk heyday, is seen here performing with the band in Turin in 2008 during one of their reunions
The reformed Sex Pistols played a Teenage Cancer Trust show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March – left to right are Glen Matlock, new singer Frank Carter, Paul Cook and Steve Jones
A Glitterbest spokesperson said of the dispute with the optical boutique: ‘The objection was to the shop’s logo, which uses a very similar stylisation to the Sex Pistols’ logo and is clearly intended to bring the band to mind.
‘We have gone to great lengths over many months to be as accommodating as possible in finding a resolution that both protects the Sex Pistols brand, whilst minimising the impact on the shop.
‘We had made it clear to the owners of the shop that they could continue to use the name “Spex Pistols” and agreed a new logo design, without any financial demands, and had been under the impression that an agreement had been reached.’
Band members Steve Cook, Paul Jones and Glen Matlock reformed last year and have future tour dates planned including an Australian tour.
