A much-loved Dundee eyewear boutique has been forced to rebrand following a legal challenge from representatives of the legendary punk band, the Sex Pistols.
The shop, formerly known as Spex Pistols, has now adopted the new name Land O’Spex, drawing inspiration from a historic local bakery, Land O’Cakes.
The dispute began when the shop received a cease-and-desist letter from Glitterbest, the company representing the Sex Pistols, who objected to similarities between the boutique’s logo and the band’s iconic branding.
Although the shop had traded peacefully as Spex Pistols since 2010, the issue came to light in 2024 after owner Richard Cook missed the renewal date for the trademark he had held since 2012.
Glitterbest stated that after discussions, they had offered a compromise: the shop could continue using the name Spex Pistols, provided it adopted a new logo design. However, Cook decided that operating under these restrictions was not viable, citing the financial and practical burdens of a legal battle against an internationally recognised brand.
A Local Business Faces Global Pressures
Richard Cook expressed his disappointment at the situation, saying: “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.”
Despite his efforts to highlight the differences between his independent shop and the globally renowned band, Cook ultimately felt that rebranding was the only sensible option.
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.”
A New Chapter for Land O’Spex
The shop’s new name, Land O’Spex, pays homage to Dundee’s heritage and marks a fresh start for the business. Cook remains optimistic, noting the strong support from loyal customers who value the shop’s commitment to personalised service and unique eyewear offerings.
A spokesperson for Glitterbest said: “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”.
While the end of the Spex Pistols era may be bittersweet for Dundee’s eyewear aficionados, Land O’Spex is ready to open its doors to a new chapter, continuing its tradition of exceptional customer service and community spirit.
