Iconic Dundee opticians has renamed to Land o’Spex following legal threat from Sex Pistols
- Andrew Batchelor
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
A popular Dundee shop has been forced to change its name after a legal battle with punk legends The Sex Pistols.
Spex Pistols, a spectacles and lens maker based in West Port, had traded under the name for more than a decade.
But after missing a trademark renewal deadline, the band’s representatives issued a cease and desist notice. Owner Richard Cook has now renamed the shop Land O’Spex.
“We don’t really have a choice,” said Richard. “We just don’t make enough money to take on the Sex Pistols and try to win the right to use the name we had originally trademarked in 2012.”
Richard missed the renewal after a difficult period which included the impact of COVID-19, a personal bereavement and suffering a heart attack.
When the trademark expired, Glitterbest Limited - representing original members Steve Jones, Paul Cook and John Lydon - demanded the name be dropped or used under strict branding restrictions.
“After some negotiation, they offered a way we could use the name, but under hugely restrictive conditions,” Richard explained.
“It included colour limitations, font restrictions, and only using it in our Dundee shop. It was easier and cheaper to change the name — which is what they had wanted in the first place.”
The newly branded Land O’Spex is a nod to Dundee’s former Wallace’s Bakery, Land O’Cakes.
Local design agency Agency of None helped with the rebrand, which is expected to be completed by mid-May.
Richard said the shop’s focus on customer service and sustainability will stay at its heart, with an emphasis on repairs and refurbished frames.
“We’ve never been confused with The Sex Pistols,” said Richard.
“We missed the renewal through unfortunate circumstances, but we’ve traded peacefully for 14 years. It’s the end of an era for Dundee, but the start of a new chapter for us.”
Despite the dispute, Richard says there are no hard feelings — even offering to supply the band members with prescription spectacles or sunglasses to show goodwill.
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