Ampol’s recent rebrand after losing the ability to use the Caltex name may have landed it in a legal battle with EG Group, which states it was misled by then-Caltex Australia about the status of its branding agreement with Chevron.

According to documents filed with the New South Wales Supreme Court seen by the AFR, Ampol was in discussions with the owner of the Caltex trademark, Chevron, last December, though led EG to believe it would have the ongoing right to utilise the Caltex name across its Woolworths petrol stations – a name which it will now need to give up by the end of 2022.

“EG and EG Group have suffered loss as a result of Caltex Australia’s misleading or deceptive conduct and seek orders that fuel supply agreement and the trademark licence deed are void and of no effect, or alternatively, damages,” EG’s claim said.

In a statement on the ASX, Ampol, in response, said the claims are baseless and that they will be vigorously defended.

EG Group was previously in talks to purchase Caltex Australia, though the deal was shut down in favour of a proposed acquisition by Canadian Alimentation Couche-Tard, which ultimately fell through as well.