Buc-ee’s sues Beavercreek store, claiming its cartoon beaver logo violates trademark | Local
Buc-ee’s, the wildly popular chain of travel centers, has sued a small carryout in Beavercreek, claiming the store’s cartoon beaver logo infringes on its trademark.
Buc-ee’s alleges in a new lawsuit in federal court that Beaver’s Mini Mart at 1592 Hanes Road has a logo that too closely resembles the chain’s distinctive logo, which has a smiling cartoon beaver with a red baseball hat. The logo is featured on Buc-ee’s billboards, signage and many branded products.
A sign featuring a cartoon beaver hangs above the entrance of Beaver’s Mini Mart on Hanes Road in Beavercreek.
Buc-ee’s, which opened its first Ohio store in Huber Heights in April, says Beaver’s Mini Mart has an exterior sign with a logo featuring a cartoon beaver with “wide eyes and a smile.” The chain also claims the red coloring mirrors its own logo. Buc-ee’s says it believes the mini mart started using this logo after it created its trademark, which it obtained decades ago.
“Defendant’s unauthorized use of defendant’s marks is likely to cause confusion among consumers,” Buc-ee’s lawsuit states. “Consumers are likely to perceive a connection or association as to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of the parties’ products and services, when in fact none exists, given the similarity of the parties’ logos, trade channels, and consumer bases.”
Buc-ee’s opened its first Ohio store in Huber Heights in April.
Buc-ee’s claims that Beaver’s Mini Mart’s use of its trademark “unjustly enriches” the store at the chain’s expense. The chain also claims the use of its trademark puts its valuable reputation at risk.
Buc-ee’s has sued other businesses for trademark infringement, including a gas station chain in northeast Ohio called Mickey’s, which has a cartoon moose as its logo. Buc-ee’s alleges Mickey’s logo also too closely resembles its own. Buc-ee’s won a trademark infringement lawsuit about eight years ago against a Texas business called Choke Canyon BBQ that had a cartoon alligator as its logo.
Comedian John Oliver, on the most recent episode of his show “Last Week Tonight” on HBO, had a segment that criticized and mocked Buc-ee’s trademark infringement lawsuits, and he dared the company to sue him for creating a similar logo that says “Buc-off.” Last Week Tonight is selling shirts, hats and other accessories with the Buc-off logo, with the promise that the proceeds from the sales will go to charity.
Buc-ee’s did not immediately return a request for comment. The Dayton Daily News left a message with Beaver’s Mini Mart but has not yet heard back.
