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Buc-ee’s Files Flurry of Lawsuits Over Trademark Infringement

The Texas-based convenience store chain contends that several businesses are trying to profit from its well-known beaver branding.

Key Takeaways

Logo Dispute: Buc-ee’s is suing three companies for selling merch with beaver designs that closely resemble its trademarked mascot.


Brand Protection: The convenience store chain seeks injunctions, damages and product recalls as part of a broader effort to defend its growing merchandise business.

Buc-ee’s, a popular Texas-based convenience chain, is suing three businesses for trademark infringement, arguing that the gun-toting, cowboy hat-wearing and tattoo-loving beavers sold by these vendors are rip-offs of its iconic logo.

Buc-ee's

Court documents show the similarities between Buc-ee’s trademarked logo (left) and Born United “Tac-Bucc” PVC patch.

The three lawsuits, against Owl & Anchor LLC in Arizona, Prometheus Esoterica Inc. in Florida and Born United LLC in South Carolina, were all filed in the past week. The defendants specialize in selling branded apparel and other merch, though each has a different focus. Born United emphasizes patriotic themes, with the slogan of “bringing brands together that stand for freedom.” Prometheus Esoterica is a self-described “oddities shop” and “gothic boutique,” and Owl & Anchor’s website promotes itself as a “Pro Second Amendment stop for decals, stickers, flags and patches.”

According to court documents, Born United was selling apparel, accessories and other gear on its website and in stores featuring a beaver in tactical gear holding a gun. Owls & Anchor was selling stickers, patches and stencils featuring hatted beavers on its own website and Etsy. Prometheus Esoterica was selling shirts showing a beaver in goth attire and a beaver resembling Krampus in its store, and it was also advertising the merchandise on social media.

In each of the lawsuits, lawyers for Buc-ee’s argue that the specific beaver imagery the company uses is strongly linked to the brand and the services and goods it provides. They allege that as a result, the defendants are unjustly profiting from the imagery that consumers associate with Buc-ee’s.

patches

Prometheus Esoterica Inc. in Florida was selling a variety of Buc-ee’s look-alike merch, according to court documents.

“Plaintiff’s Beaver Logo has become synonymous with the Buc-ee’s brand,” reads an excerpt from the complaint filed against Owl & Anchor. “The Beaver Logo prominently appears on large pole signs visible from the highway, above entrances to Buc-ee’s stores, on top of the gas-pump canopies, on signage inside the stores, and on an array of BUC-EE’S branded products and apparel sold instore.”

Buc-ee’s is seeking several forms of relief, including injunctions against the defendants to stop them from manufacturing the offending goods and compensation for damages suffered from infringement. Additionally, the company is arguing for the recall and destruction of products that infringe on the trademark.

Buc-ee’s has filed suit against at least two other businesses this year for trademark infringement – Home Away From Home Dog Training LLC and Super Fuels Lombardy LLC – bringing the total number of lawsuits initiated in 2025 to five.

Founded in 1982 in Texas, Buc-ee’s has since expanded to 52 locations in nine states. While much of its revenue comes from the sale of goods like gas and food, according to the lawsuits, “a significant and growing portion of its business involves the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of clothing prominently featuring Buc-ee’s world famous trademarks.”

Legal experts who have previously spoken to ASI Media gave a few tips for not running afoul of trademark infringement issues. Among them: Conduct a preliminary trademark search in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Electronic Search System.