Buc-ee’s under fire for suing small businesses

America’s mega-convenience store chain Buc-ee’s is drawing scrutiny for targeting small businesses with trademark lawsuits.

The Texas-based chain became a surprise viral star during the World Cup, but the hype has since faded.

The issue also recently got the John Oliver treatment on HBO’s Last Week Tonight.

In a parody moment, Oliver dared the company to sue his “Buc-Off” merchandise featuring squirrel mascot Mr. Nutterbutter.

Who has Buc-ee’s sued?
The chain has filed a trademark infringement suit against Beaver’s Mini Mart, a local business in Beavercreek, Ohio. The store, which has been open since 2017, features a cartoon beaver logo with a red backdrop.

Buc-ee’s claims the store’s logo could confuse customers following the chain’s expansion into Ohio.

It sued the clothing brand Born United over a beaver mascot lookalike carrying an automatic weapon. The brand pulled the offending gear from its site.

Buc-ee’s also went after a Missouri dog park called Barc-ee’s, which eventually shut down.

The chain has filed a case against Mickey’s, an Ohio convenience-store chain with 42 locations, whose logo features a smiling cartoon moose. But in February, just two months before Buc-ee’s opened its first Ohio location, it sued, claiming the moose was too similar to its mascot.

Both Mickey’s and Buc-ee’s have been operational since 1982.

It has previously sued several other logos featuring cartoon animals, including a duck and an alligator.

The lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart has also sparked local outrage. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called it ridiculous and asked that it be dropped. Supporters have launched a GoFundMe to help, and even the Beavercreek City Council is considering a resolution declaring the beaver a historic local symbol.

Legal experts note that Buc-ee’s has a massive legal team at its disposal, which smaller regional establishments lack. This forces many to either settle or redesign their logo.