San Antonio, Texas (January 12, 2026) - VP Racing Fuels, Inc. and its affiliate Plastic Product Formers, Inc. (PPF) have filed a federal lawsuit against Semco Plastic Company, Tank Holding Corp., and multiple affiliated entities and individuals, alleging the unlawful copying and misuse of VP Racing’s distinctive utility jug design and proprietary manufacturing molds.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, alleges that the defendants are manufacturing, marketing, and selling products that infringe upon VP Racing’s federally registered trade dress, including the company’s iconic “hourglass-shaped” utility container that has been in continuous use for more than two decades.
VP Racing’s protected trade dress includes a unique overall rectangular profile featuring four vertical sides that angle inward to form an hourglass shape, a centrally located arced handle, and specific neck placement, a configuration that consumers have come to immediately recognize as a VP Racing product and has been in continuous use since at least 2001. That design has become synonymous with VP Racing’s high-quality fuels, fluids, and related products sold worldwide through leading retailers, including The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants' "Bushman" branded jugs and containers imitate the established design, leading to a strong likelihood of consumer confusion in overlapping channels of trade, including online stores and retail shelves. The complaint asserts that this is a deliberate and willful effort by the defendants to exploit the valuable goodwill and brand recognition established by VP Racing's decades of investment.
“Protecting our intellectual property is essential to maintaining the integrity of our brand and ensuring customers can confidently identify genuine VP Racing products,” said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, VP Racing. “Our container design is not only functional, but it is also a defining part of who we are. We will take decisive action to stop any unauthorized use that infringes on our trade dress and misleads consumers.”
The lawsuit seeks permanent injunctive relief to stop the defendants’ infringing activities, as well as monetary damages, including potential treble damages and attorneys’ fees based on the alleged willfulness of the infringement.
The case is VP Racing Fuels, Inc. et al. v. Semco Plastic Company et al., Civil Action No. 5:25-cv-01729.
For more information about VP Racing’s full line of performance products, visit VPRacingFuels.com or contact your local VP Racing sales representative.
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ABOUT VP RACING
VP Racing, The World Leader in Fuel Technology®, has been fueling champions in virtually every form of motorsport on land, air, and sea since 1975. VP is the Official Fuel of the series like IMSA, NHRA, SCORE, World of Outlaws, AMA Pro Motocross, MotoAmerica, SRO GT World Challenge, Champ Offroad, American Flat Track, USF Pro, NASA, and more than 60+ other sponsored series and sanctioning bodies.
VP Racing is also well-known for its full line of consumer products, including ethanol-free small engine fuels and lubricants formulated for 2 and 4-cycle outdoor power equipment, automotive additives and octane improvers, performance coolants, appearance products, apparel, and accessories sold globally through automotive, home improvement, and online retailers. The VP brand is also represented by a program for independent operators with 350+ VP-branded gas stations, car washes, quick lubes, and marinas throughout North America. For more information, visit VPRacingFuels.com