Buc-ee’s vs. Duckees: Chain sues Missouri liquor store over name and logo ‘confusion’
A popular Texas-based retailer is suing a Missouri liquor store, accusing it of trademark infringement.
Buc-ee’s filed the federal lawsuit against the drive-thru liquor store Duckees on Nov. 15.
Duckees is a family-owned business that sells food and liquor, according to its website. The lawsuit says it also sells merchandise such as apparel with its logo on it, just like Buc-ee’s.
McClatchy News reached out to Buc-ee’s and Duckees for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The Texas company accuses Duckees of using a name and logo that is “likely to cause confusion,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit says Duckees’ name and logo are “infringing” and “nearly identical” to Buc-ee’s.
“Duckees’ unauthorized use of the DUCKEES’ Word Trademark and DUCKEES’ Logo, which are confusingly similar to the BUC-EE’S Trademarks, will allow Duckees to receive the benefit of the goodwill built up at the great labor and expense by Buc-ee’s,” the lawsuit said.
Buc-ee’s is known for its beaver mascot. Duckees has a duck mascot, which the lawsuit says it copied from the Texas company.
“Specifically, the DUCKEES’ Logo copies BUC-EE’S Logo’s use of a friendly smiling cartoon animal similarly oriented within a circle and a yellow background,” the civil complaint said.
The lawsuit asserts the Duckees name and logo falsely indicate that the liquor store is in someway connected to Buc-ee’s because the two are “confusingly similar.”
The lawsuit is asking a judge to declare that Duckees has infringed on Buc-ee’s trademark and order it to stop any further infringement. It also asks a judge to order that all products, advertisements and online platforms with Duckees’ name and logo be destroyed.
In addition, the lawsuit asks a judge to award any profits by Duckees to Buc-ee’s along with an undetermined amount in damages.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 8:43 AM with the headline "Buc-ee’s vs. Duckees: Chain sues Missouri liquor store over name and logo ‘confusion’."
