SUMMERVILLE — A Lowcountry state lawmaker and lawyer sparked a social media debate this week after coming to the defense of Born United, a local company being sued by the Buc-ee's travel center chain over claims of copyright infringement for using its trademarked beaver mascot on merchandise.

S.C. Sen. Tom Fernandez, a Summerville resident and personal injury lawyer, said he is a part owner of the Myrtle Beach branch of the Goose Creek-based business , which also has retail locations in North Charleston and Summerville, as well as in several other states.

“For the record, I’m a proud 49% owner of the Born United Myrtle Beach store. And yes, one of the shirts Born United makes features a parody of a beaver …" Fernandez posted to Facebook on June 3 . "It’s not the Buc-ee’s logo.

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