Buc-ee's Trademark Lawsuit Over Beaver Logo Sparks Backlash in Ohio

A Buc-ee's trademark lawsuit against a small Ohio convenience store has triggered a backlash across the state, after the Texas-based chain alleged that Beaver's Mini Mart infringed its trademark rights through its beaver logo, according to the Associated Press. Buc-ee's filed the suit in late July, four months after opening its first Ohio store roughly 30 minutes from Beavercreek, where the mini mart is located.

Buc-ee's argues that the beaver logo used by Beaver's Mini Mart too closely resembles its own branded "Bucky" beaver, and has asked for a jury trial in federal court in Ohio, the AP reported. The company has a history of pursuing Buc-ee's trademark infringement claims against businesses using cartoon animal logos, including a lip-licking alligator, a smiling moose and a hat-wearing bear.

The Buc-ee's Ohio lawsuit has drawn public criticism, with supporters of Beaver's Mini Mart attacking the chain online and organizing boycotts. Beavercreek's city government passed a resolution making the beaver an official part of its local history, according to the AP.

British comedian John Oliver addressed the dispute on "Last Week Tonight," detailing Buc-ee's history of trademark lawsuits targeting woodland creature logos. Oliver launched a website selling merchandise featuring a parody "Buc-off" logo and a squirrel mascot named Mr. Nutterbutter, and the hashtag #boycottbucees trended on X, the report said.

Beaver's Mini Mart occupies a low building with a shingle roof at a suburban intersection, in contrast with the new 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee's location off Interstate 70 near Dayton, which includes more than 100 gas pumps, 24 electric vehicle chargers and 700 parking spaces.

This is not the first Buc-ee's lawsuit tied to its Ohio expansion. While preparing to enter the state in February, the company sued the northern Ohio holding company for Mickey Mart gas stations, arguing that its Mickey the Moose logo could be confused with Buc-ee. The holding company responded, "A moose is not a beaver," the AP reported.

The dispute over the Buc-ee's beaver logo is the latest trademark lawsuit involving the chain as it expands beyond its home state of Texas. No trial date has been set in the case against Beaver's Mini Mart, according to the available report.

In separate news, Origin Energy confirmed bank details of dozens of customers were accessed in a separate July data breach.