Buc-ee’s Files Lawsuit Against Ohio Store Over Its Logo

Buc-ee’s previously filed trademark infringement lawsuits against several other companies including Teddy’s Market in Georgia and Mickey Mart in Ohio

NEED TO KNOW

• Buc-ee’s filed a trademark lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart in Ohio claiming that the corner store’s logo was too similar to their own
• The mini mart owner claimed he was not warned about the alleged infringement before the lawsuit was filed and plans to fight it
• This comes days after Last Week Tonight host John Oliver recently teased Buc-ee’s over its history of suing small businesses over logo disputes

Buc-ee’s has filed a lawsuit against an Ohio corner store over its logo.

The company, which runs a chain of travel centers and gas stations, filed a federal trademark lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart located in Beavercreek, Ohio on July 28, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer, Dayton Daily News and WBNS-TV.

The lawsuit obtained by the Dayton Daily News claims that Beaver’s Mini Mart’s logo infringes on the one used by Buc-ee’s. It claimed that it features a cartoon beaver with “wide eyes and a smile,” similar to the one on the Buc-ee’s logo and that the red colors used in their design also copy the company’s.

“[Beaver Mini Mart’s] unauthorized use of defendant’s marks is likely to cause confusion among consumers,” Buc-ee’s lawsuit stated, per the outlet. 

“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,” the company added.

Beaver Mini Mart owner Vik Boparai told The Cincinnati Enquirer that he has owned the corner store for more than a decade, before Buc-ee’s opened its first Ohio location in April. He also alleged the company never informed him that his logo infringed on its trademark rights or asked him to remove it before filing the lawsuit. 

“I don’t know why they would sue a small business like mine,” Boparai told the outlet. “I have two kids and this store is how I feed them.”

Buc-ee’s did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

This is one of many trademark infringement lawsuits Buc-ee’s has filed in recent years against small businesses. It previously sued Ohio gas station chain Mickey Mart, claiming that its cartoon moose logo was too similar to its own animal-themed logo.

Teddy’s Market in Georgia, which was also sued by Buc-ee’s over its logo featuring an animal with a blue baseball cap, counter-sued the company claiming it obtained trademark registrations through false statements, according to CBS News. In their lawsuit, they also described Buc-ee’s as a “trademark bully.” 

The recent lawsuits even drew the attention of Last Week Tonight host John Oliver, who taunted the chain to sue him after creating a similar logo to Buc-ee’s that said “Buc-off” and selling products with it on the front with proceeds going to charity. 

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As for the Beaver Mini Mart owner, he told The Cincinnati Enquirer  that he plans to fight the lawsuit as several other companies and businesses in Beavercreek also feature a logo with the animal. 

“It’s Buc-ee’s acting like they control all the animals across the world,” Boparai told the outlet. “Are they going to sue the schools and the city next?”

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