After receiving an email from Etsy informing him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” were removed due to trademark infringement, Sam Joseph Karam expressed suspicion. Karam, the owner of U.S.-based apparel company Customized Designs, noticed a significant drop in sales after his Star Seller badge was revoked by Etsy, indicating top-tier customer service. The takedowns were initiated following a complaint by Malik Yawar Abbas, the Canadian trademark holder for the term “bruh.”
Etsy sellers, including Karam, reported having their listings removed from the platform due to trademark complaints by Abbas. Karam accused Abbas of “trademark squatting,” suggesting that Abbas aimed to profit by licensing the term rather than creating products himself. Legal experts suggest that platforms and the legal system should enhance measures to prevent the misuse of trademarks.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office granted a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025, allowing its use in various clothing items. Another trademark for the same term was recently obtained by Abbas for advertising restaurant services. Karam discovered Abbas’ website, showcasing the protection of the “bruh” trademark and offering licensing opportunities for its use.
Abbas demanded $1,000 from Karam to withdraw the complaint regarding the Etsy listings, which Karam refused, citing bad faith on Abbas’ part. Despite Abbas’ claim that the trademark is a legitimate licensing brand, Karam is exploring legal avenues to challenge the trademark’s validity based on bad faith.
Under Canada’s trademark laws, a trademark filed in bad faith can be invalidated. Carys Craig, an intellectual property law expert, notes that the legal landscape in such cases is evolving and untested. Abbas defends his trademark as a legitimate commercial brand and has retracted the Etsy complaint after the listings were removed.
Experts explain that trademarks serve to distinguish brands, and while common phrases can be trademarked in specific contexts, trademark ownership does not equate to complete control over the term. The way “bruh” is presented on the website and the takedown requests may raise concerns of bad faith, according to legal analysis.
Etsy’s approach to addressing trademark infringement involves removing items upon receiving valid complaints, with sellers responsible for compliance. The lack of an appeals process poses challenges for sellers facing takedown decisions. Clancy suggests that enhancements to the trademark system may be necessary to prevent misuse and improve seller recourse.
Trademark disputes, especially for small businesses, can be costly, potentially allowing instances of trademark squatting to persist. Craig advocates for tighter regulations and improved processes for challenging questionable trademarks to address policy gaps and prevent abuse of the system.