Buc-ee’s suing Ohio gas station chain

Buc-ee’s is entering the Ohio market soon and making sure that no other gas station resembles theirs.

The ever-popular gas station/market alleges that Mickey’s gas stations, owned by Coles IP Holdings, recently changed their logo to be a little too similar to Buc-ee’s famous beaver.

Mickey’s mascot, nicknamed Mickey the Moose, is an animated moose drawing on a red background. Buc-ee’s Beaver is an animated beaver on a yellow background, smiling with a red hat on top of its head.

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The lawsuit alleges that, “the defendant’s logos incorporate a cartoon animal facing right with wide eyes and a smile, overlaying a round background,” and also that “the defendant is transitioning from the name ‘Mickey Mart’ to ‘Mickey’s,’ which more closely resembles plaintiff’s Buc-ee’s mark.” The lawsuit also discusses the use of red as a predominant color.

“Consumers are likely to perceive a connection or association as to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of the parties’ products and services, when in fact none exists, given the similarity of the parties’ logos, trade channels, and consumer bases,” the lawsuit says.

The closest Mickey’s locations to Columbus are in Bellville and Loudonville.

Last January, Buc-ee’s also sued a Texas gas station over logo similarities. This logo featured a puppy wearing a cape, and Buc-ee’s alleged that it caused confusion and a loss in sales for the company. And in November of 24th, “Duckees Drive-Thru,” a family-owned convenience store, was sued by Buc-ee’s for copyright infringement as well.

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