After receiving an email from Etsy stating that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” were removed due to a trademark violation, Sam Joseph Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, became suspicious. Karam, who sells clothing on various platforms including Etsy, noticed a significant drop in sales after losing his Star Seller badge, which signifies exceptional customer service.
The takedown was prompted by a complaint from Malik Yawar Abbas, the holder of a Canadian trademark for the term “bruh.” Karam and other Etsy sellers reported similar experiences, with multiple emails from Etsy confirming that the removals were in response to complaints from Abbas.
According to Karam, Abbas is profiting by licensing the term rather than producing goods, a practice known as “trademark squatting.” Legal experts suggest that platforms and the legal system should enhance measures to prevent such trademark exploitation.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office issued a trademark for “bruh” in connection with clothing in July 2025. Another trademark was granted to Abbas for using the term in advertising restaurant services. Despite inquiries, CIPO did not provide specific details about the “bruh” trademark.
Abbas’s website outlines his protection of the trademark and offers licensing options for using “bruh,” focusing on commercial applications rather than selling products directly. When Karam approached Abbas regarding the takedowns, Abbas proposed a settlement of $1,000, which Karam declined, believing it to be an act of bad faith.
Karam is contemplating legal action to challenge the trademark’s validity based on bad faith. Experts note that under Canadian trademark laws, trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated, but the application of this provision remains untested.
Despite the trademark, experts explain that owning a trademark does not equate to owning the word outright. The context in which the word is used determines infringement. Abbas clarified that his intent was not to impede ordinary use of the term.
Etsy’s response to trademark infringement claims was highlighted, emphasizing the challenges faced by sellers due to the lack of an appeal process. While rare in Canada, cases like this underscore the need for tighter regulations to address trademark squatting and over-enforcement issues.
Experts advocate for stricter rules in awarding trademarks, streamlined processes for challenging trademarks, and improved appeal mechanisms on online platforms to safeguard against potential abuses of the trademark system.