The lawsuit accuses the clothing and accessories company of trademark infringement.
DALLAS — Buc-ee’s is in a legal battle with a South Carolina-based clothing and accessories company over a beaver logo on its merchandise, court documents show.
The Texas travel center and convenience store chain filed the federal lawsuit against South Carolina-based clothes and accessories retailer Born United in May, alleging trademark infringement over their use of a similar beaver logo on T-shirts and other merchandise, court documents show.
A photo of a T-shirt and patch allegedly sold by Born United that was included in court documents in the lawsuit depicts a beaver wearing camo gear and carrying a gun.
Buc-ee’s accused Born United in the lawsuit of “slavish copying of the Buc-ee’s Marks and continued sale of the infringing products” after receiving a cease-and-desist letter, “demonstrating willful infringement and bad faith conduct,” according to court documents.
“Defendant knew, or should have known, that its use of Buc-ee’s Marks in connection with clothing and related goods would cause confusion, mistake, or deception among consumers,” Buc-ee’s alleges in the lawsuit.
Buc-ee’s is seeking a court order barring Born United from making, selling, or promoting any products with the beaver logos or seeking any registration or applications related to the logos, as well as damages, court documents show.
WFAA has reached out to Born United for comment.
Buc-ee’s has used its beaver logo since the 1980s, as we’ve previously reported. The first Buc-ee’s store opened in Texas in 1982, according to their website, and the company’s grown to include more than 50 locations in nine states, including locations in Fort Worth, Melissa, Denton, Ennis, Terrell and Hillsboro, among others.
It’s not the first time Buc-ee’s has sued over its logo.
Buc-ee’s previously sued North Texas-based gas station chain Super Fuels, alleging trademark infringement over its use of a logo with an anthropomorphic dog wearing a cape.
Buc-ee’s, in a statement to WFAA, declined to comment on specific litigation, but said it “will not be an idle spectator while others infringe the intellectual property rights that Buc-ee’s has worked so hard to develop.”
“Buc-ee’s does not comment on specific pending litigation matters. Generally, Buc-ee’s has invested heavily in innovation across the company to provide the best quality products and experience for our customers. Buc-ee’s will not be an idle spectator while others infringe the intellectual property rights that Buc-ee’s has worked so hard to develop,” the statement reads.