Valvoline Accuses Texas Oil Change Shop of Trademark Infringement With Signage

An oil change shop in Grand Prairie, Texas, has drawn the ire of Valvoline for allegedly continuing to use a Valvoline trademark on the shop’s signage without authorization.  

Valvoline on Monday filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Duha Enterprises, operator of the Grand Prairie oil change shop, alleging the facility has refused to remove the phrase “Express Care” from an exterior sign. Valvoline said it has held a trademark on the phrase for two decades. 

Filing of the lawsuit was first reported by the legal news website Westlaw Today. 

According to the suit, the company became aware of the Grand Prairie-based shop using signage that included “Valvoline,” “Express Care,” and a “V” design without Valvoline’s consent in 2023. Valvoline, which operates more than 1,850 vehicle service centers in North America, said it has used the “Valvoline” trademark for more than 30 years and the “V” and “Express Care” marks for more than 20 years. 

Valvoline sent Duha a cease-and-desist letter on May 1, 2023, and then a second letter two weeks later when its initial request was not acted upon. Valvoline also met with Duha proprietors Mohammad and Qusai Almomani, who agreed to having a Valvoline vendor remove the signage on Sept. 24. 

While the “Valvoline” signage in question was subsequently removed, Duha officials did not allow the removal of “Express Care” from a roadside display. 

In its lawsuit, Valvoline alleges Duha has used its trademark without license and violated the Lanham Act (also known as the Trademark Act of 1946), also alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition under common law. 

Valvoline is seeking an injunction, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.