Opticians trading as the Spex Pistols forced to change name after legendary punk band contacts lawyers
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.'
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 recently reformed for concert dates but with Rotten - real name John Lydon unwilling to take part and replaced on vocals by Frank Carter.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Student flats planned for Leeds shopping centre
Plans that would see part of a shopping centre replaced by a 37-storey block of student flats are to be considered by Leeds City than 1,000 students would be housed in the development on the Merrion Centre site, which would also include a karaoke room, gym and study unit currently occupied by Home Bargains and a disused cinema would be demolished under proposals and a new building constructed on the same footprint.A report to councillors said the project would "contribute to an ever more vibrant city centre which will sustain the retail and hospitality sector". Each year, tens of thousands of students call Leeds home while they attend institutions such as the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts and the Leeds for more than 17,000 student bed spaces have been approved in recent from Unipol suggests that between 2014/15 and 2022/23 the number of full-time students at the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett rose by about 9,500 and is predicted to go up by another 4,000 by 2027/ number of international students in the city has also risen. Why does Leeds need so much student accommodation? Council officers have recommended approval for the Merrion Centre project set to be discussed by Leeds City Council's plans panel proposed tower, which would be located near three conservation areas, would be visible from parts of the city centre including Millennium Square."Distinctive" columns of blue brick would extend around the building and "help to define the new entrance", according to the approval would be subject to conditions including almost £600,000 towards nearby cycling and road report said plans for the scheme had been revised since it was first proposed in 2022. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Parking changes in Ilkley could 'kill businesses'
Shoppers and business owners in Ilkley are urging officials to rethink plans to scrap a permitted hour of free parking in the town due to fears its removal will drive visitors away. Bradford Council has proposed introducing a simplified "two-tier" system of parking charges at car parks it runs across the district, with either short- or long-stay fees in effect around the the spa town of Ilkley, a one-hour "grace period" of free parking allowed before charges kick in would end. There would also be a removal of rebates for evening and bank holiday usage. Mother Louise Nicholls, who is expecting her second child, said cheap parking close to amenities was a bonus for parents whose children are too young to walk added that parking costs already added pressure to tight family budgets."Obviously, you don't want to be walking too far when you've got two little ones in tow. So having somewhere in the centre that's not too expensive is really useful."If me and my husband are coming in in the evening especially, that's quite nice. It means we can park up for free and not have to worry. It'll be a real shame if that's gone."Over at the Jefferson Buckley hair salon, every chair was full as ladies had their hair done and chatted away."The general feeling is it's just ridiculous," said one stylist, who asked not to be named. "And it's just so complicated."Reminded that the council says it's trying to simplify the system, she said: "It's not good enough. It's already hard enough from this economic crisis we're in. It's just making everything harder. " Willow Thomas, another stylist, also thought the current system was "confusing" as there were "so many different meters to pay at and older people especially get confused".Of scrapping the grace periods, she added: "I just think it's expensive for people that are coming and spending money in local shops."Customer Amy Jauregui, who was having her hair done by Willow, said "five or 10 minutes' grace" should be standard, but she also felt areas like Ilkley were treated as "a bit of a cash cow". Tourists John and Alison Marriott were visiting Ilkley from Manchester, a trip they make several times a year - but which they could now reconsider the frequency of."They're going to lose business. I've seen it happen in other cities," suggested John."People go elsewhere to the big shopping centres which have free parking all day, and local businesses will take a hit."Alison added that removing any small grace periods was "very disappointing" and urged Bradford Council to "reconsider".Meanwhile shop worker Salman Khaliq, who works at Ilkley Mobiles, said the free hour enabled customers to "pop in" rather than pay for a longer stay."Sometimes customers only have to come into a shop for five minutes and they have to pay for an hour ticket," he said."If there is free parking, definitely I will have good business. There's going to be no free parking at all anywhere now."Bradford Council's public consultation on the issue remains open until 2 July . Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Plans for flats and retail units on Douglas quay backed
Plans to develop a set of historical buildings on the North Quay in Douglas into eight new apartments and two retail units have been backed by proposals would see two bar or restaurant-type buildings on the ground floor of the development with a raised terrace for external seating, and eight apartments on the upper floors. The plans, put forward by developers Kelman Limited, would see the demolition of registered buildings 22,23, 25 and 26 on the North a planning committee meeting, member Sam Skelton said it was a "very welcome development in the town centre". Previous proposals put forward by the same applicants to convert the group of buildings, including the former Newson's site, into ten flats and food and drink outlets were turned down by the committee in approved application did not include the former Newson's site, and the committee were told that the developers were still considering what to do with the derelict planning officer who recommended approval said that "although the loss of the existing history fabric weighs against the proposal", the plans "would represent an overall enhancement" to the conservation area and street member Peter Young said he "really liked the design and it fits in with what is already there". The chairman of the committee, Rob Callister, said the area was "desperately in need" of the committee were told the application had been timed for the developers to meet the deadline to apply for the Department for Enterprise's Infrastructure Scheme, which aims to encourage private investors to redevelop brownfield requirement for affordable housing would be paid through commuted Kelly, owner of Kelproperties, which owns the site, said the organisation was "grateful to the planning committee for their approval". However, the team was "highly critical" of the planners who put a listing on the building in the first place, "which was after our contracted agreement to buy the site over seven years ago"."We feel that the subject of heritage listings needs a deep review to prevent this sort of thing happening once more," he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
