Sam Joseph Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, an apparel company based in the U.S., was surprised when he received an email from Etsy stating that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” had been removed due to a trademark violation. Karam, who sells clothing on various platforms including Etsy, found it unusual to have multiple listings taken down simultaneously. Additionally, Etsy revoked his Star Seller badge, leading to a noticeable decline in sales.
The email from Etsy mentioned that the complaint leading to the removal came from Malik Yawar Abbas, the holder of a Canadian trademark for the term “bruh.” Karam and other Etsy sellers revealed to CBC News that they experienced similar takedowns following complaints by Abbas.
Karam accused Abbas of trademark squatting, suggesting that Abbas aims to profit by licensing the word rather than producing any products. Legal experts argue that platforms and the legal system should take steps to prevent such trademark exploitation.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office issued a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025, allowing its use in selling various types of clothing. Another trademark was recently granted to Abbas for promoting restaurant services.
After discovering Abbas’s website outlining his protection of the “bruh” trademark and offering licensing options, Karam reached out to Abbas to retract the complaint filed with Etsy. However, Abbas demanded $1,000 and certain conditions for withdrawal, which Karam refused, considering it a bad faith act.
Abbas defended his actions, stating that trademarking “BRUH” aims to establish a licensing brand and not to hinder ordinary use of the word. Despite withdrawing the complaint, Karam is exploring legal options to challenge the trademark on grounds of bad faith.
Under Canadian trademark laws, trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated. However, the interpretation of bad faith remains untested in court. Experts suggest that the presentation of the “bruh” trademark on Abbas’s website and the takedown requests may raise concerns of bad faith.
Trademarking a word does not equate to owning it outright, as trademarks are meant to distinguish brands. Legal analysis indicates that the use of “bruh” on Etsy clothing may not necessarily infringe trademark rights, depending on how the term is utilized.
Etsy’s policy of addressing trademark infringement without an appeals process poses challenges for sellers. Tighter regulations and improved procedures for challenging questionable trademarks are recommended to prevent trademark abuse and protect sellers’ rights.
