Buc-ee's sues Florida store over knockoff merchandise
WINTER PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — Buc-ee's wants to bring a Florida store to court over knockoff merchandise that appears to mimic the popular convenience store's mascot, a lawsuit filed on Thursday showed.
According to the court documents, Prometheus Esoterica Inc., "a gothic boutique" in Winter Park, has sold merchandise, including T-shirts and decals, featuring what appears to be the Buc-ee's beaver logo with a punk rock makeover.
Documents showed that the shop "explicitly promoted" the products as a “BUCCEE” shirt.
“(Prometheus Esoterica) intentionally copied Buc-ee’s Marks to simulate (Buc-ee’s) well-known brand and exploit the public goodwill associated with Plaintiff’s Buc-ee’s Marks,” the lawsuit read.
The lawsuit said the shop deceived customers into believing that it is affiliated with Buc-ee's, and its actions were "willful and undertaken in bad faith."
Buc-ee's accused Prometheus Esoterica of trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark counterfeiting, unjust enrichment and violating Florida's unfair trade practices law.
The lawsuit also demanded that Prometheus Esoterica be prevented from selling the merchandise going forward and pay for any damages incurred by Buc-ee’s.
The Florida shop has to reply to the complaint within 21 days, the lawsuit showed. Nexstar has reached out to Prometheus Esoterica for comment.