by 
By Mark A Leon
A South Carolina-based clothing company has agreed to pay Buc-ee’s approximately $850,000 and permanently stop using the Texas travel-center chain’s iconic beaver imagery following a federal trademark dispute.
The case involved Born United, a North Charleston-based company known for patriotic and military-themed apparel. Buc-ee’s sued Born United in May 2025, alleging that the company used a beaver character resembling Buc-ee’s trademarked mascot on merchandise, including items marketed under the name “Tac-Bucc”.
According to the court records, the dispute was resolved through a consent judgment entered August 18, 2026, rather than going to a jury trial. Under the agreement, Born United consented to judgment on Buc-ee’s claims and agreed to pay $850,000 in damages.
The judgment also permanently restrains Born United from using Buc-ee’s beaver logo or any mark that is confusingly similar. The company must destroy remaining products bearing the disputed imagery and remove advertisements featuring the beaver design.
The federal case, Buc-ee’s Ltd. v. Born United LLC et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-04537-DCN, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina before Judge David C. Norton. The original complaint alleged trademark infringement and related claims, and included several Buc-ee’s federal trademark registrations as exhibits.
Court records indicate that Born United had previously filed an answer to the complaint in July 2025. The case was initially scheduled toward a jury trial, but the parties ultimately resolved the dispute before trial.
The case is another example of Buc-ee’s aggressive protection of its highly recognizable beaver mascot and trademarks as the company continues expanding across the United States.
Court records: Buc-ee’s Ltd. v. Born United LLC et al., U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, Case No. 2:25-cv-04537-DCN.
Click HERE for dockets and court summaries
Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.
