Sam Joseph Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, an apparel company based in the U.S., expressed concern after receiving an email from Etsy informing him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” were removed due to a trademark violation. This was an unusual occurrence for Karam, as typically only one or two listings are affected at a time. The removal of his designs led to the loss of his Star Seller badge on Etsy, resulting in a noticeable decline in sales.
The trademark complaint was lodged against Karam by Malik Yawar Abbas, the holder of a Canadian trademark for the term “bruh.” Karam was not the only seller facing such takedowns on Etsy, as multiple sellers reported similar experiences. Etsy’s emails to Karam and other sellers revealed that the takedowns were prompted by complaints from Abbas.
Abbas, the trademark owner, has been accused of “trademark squatting” by Karam and others. This practice involves holding trademarks with the intention of profiting from licensing the term rather than producing goods or services associated with it. Legal experts suggest that platforms and the legal system should take steps to prevent the misuse of trademarks in this manner.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) issued a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025, allowing its use on various clothing items. Abbas also obtained another trademark for the term to promote restaurant services. Despite allegations of trademark squatting, Abbas defended his actions, stating that he is establishing a licensing brand and not engaging in bad faith practices.
Karam attempted to resolve the takedown issue with Abbas, who demanded $1,000 and specific terms for withdrawing the complaint. Karam refused the settlement offer, believing it was made in bad faith. While Abbas eventually withdrew the complaint to Etsy, Karam is exploring legal options to challenge the trademark’s validity.
Under Canadian trademark laws updated in 2019, trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated. However, the interpretation and application of this provision remain untested in practice. Experts suggest that the presentation of the “bruh” trademark on Abbas’s website and the nature of the takedown requests may raise concerns about bad faith trademark practices.
Trademarking a word does not grant exclusive ownership, and the context in which the trademark is used is crucial. Infringement considerations depend on how the alleged infringer utilizes the trademark. Etsy sellers facing takedowns for trademark violations often lack avenues for appeal, posing challenges for small businesses in navigating such disputes.
Cases like the “bruh” trademark controversy highlight potential flaws in the trademark system and the need for stricter regulations to prevent abuse. Streamlining processes for challenging questionable trademarks and enabling sellers to contest takedown requests on online platforms could enhance fairness and transparency in trademark enforcement.
