Why does Buc-ee’s keep suing small businesses over a cartoon beaver?

Buc-ee’s, a Texas-based gas station and travel center company, has joined the ranks of litigious corporations by suing a small business for copyright infringement, joining a list that includes well-known brands such as Apple, Disney, and Nintendo. The company, known for iconic snacks like Beaver Nuggets, beef jerky, and brisket sandwiches, has a history of defending its intellectual property (IP) aggressively.

Over the years, Buc-ee’s has targeted competitors, apparel brands, and small businesses over logos, mascots, and names perceived as similar to its beaver mascot. Previous targets include travel stop chains Choke Canyon and Mickey's, as well as a Missouri dog park and coffee shop called Barc-ee's. Now, Buc-ee’s has filed a complaint against Beaver’s Mini Mart, a small convenience store chain in Beaverscreek, Ohio, alleging infringement of trademark and unfair competition.

The lawsuit was filed on July 28, following the opening of Buc-ee’s first Ohio location in Huber Heights, Ohio, just miles from Beaverscreek. Buc-ee’s claims that Beaver’s Mini Mart, through its use of the name "Beaver’s" and a cartoon beaver logo with wide eyes and a smile, resembles its own branding, which includes a cartoon beaver mascot with similar characteristics and a predominant red color scheme.

The lawsuit argues that these similarities may mislead consumers into perceiving a connection between the two businesses' products and services, which is not the case. Following the lawsuit, Ohio locals and netizens have rallied behind Beaver’s Mini Mart, with local apparel brand Cincy Shirts creating merchandise to benefit the store's legal funds.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has also expressed his support for Beaver’s Mini Mart, urging Buc-ee’s to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that the case is "ridiculous" and that the businesses share the same name in Beavercreek, Ohio. Buc-ee’s has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.