Buc-ee’s sues clothing company over use of beaver logo armed with gun, military gear
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) – Buc-ee’s, the popular gas station chain, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against a South Carolina-based apparel company alleging trademark infringement of the Buc-ee’s beaver logo.
The Texas-based Buc-ee’s filed the suit against Born United located in North Charleston.
A “significant and growing portion” of Born United’s business involves making, distributing and selling clothing that prominently features the Buc-ee’s trademark beaver logo, the lawsuit states.
The Born United items in question feature the Buc-ee’s beaver armed with a gun and military gear.
Born United sells clothing and other merchandise bearing patriotic themes. It operates under the slogan, “Bringing brands together that stand for freedom,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit from Buc-ee’s claims Born United has sold apparel, accessories and gear through its retail stores and website with a logo infringing on the Buc-ee’s trademark. Those items include a T-shirt, shorts and a patch.
The lawsuit alleges Born United continued selling the products even after Buc-ee’s sent a cease-and-desist letter, demonstrating what Buc-ee’s calls “willful infringement and bad faith conduct.”
The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop Born United from selling any more of the merchandise with the Buc-ee’s logo as well as damages, profits from the sale of the items and attorney fees.
The suit says Buc-ee’s was first founded in 1982, with a handful of valid trademark registrations since 2007.
The products online at Born United’s website have since been taken down. However, as of Monday afternoon, there was still a shirt with the beaver logo in the store’s window.
In a statement, Born United’s founder said the company is open to speaking with Buc-ee’s about the matter.
“We love and respect Buc-ee’s, and we are happy to discuss any concerns that they might have. Born United stands for God, Freedom, and Country. We are strong ers of our veteran, military, and first responder community,” Founder & Owner of Born United Cameron Bechtold said.
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