Sam Joseph Karam was surprised when he received a notification from the online marketplace Etsy informing him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” had been removed due to a trademark violation. This was an unusual occurrence for Karam, who runs Customized Designs, an apparel business based in the United States and sells products on various platforms, including Etsy. Along with the removal of his designs, Etsy also rescinded his Star Seller badge, impacting his sales performance.
The email from Etsy specified that the complaint leading to the removal was lodged by Malik Yawar Abbas, the trademark holder of the term “bruh” in Canada. Karam is not the only seller facing such actions, as several other Etsy sellers have reported similar instances where their listings were taken down following complaints from Abbas.
Karam believes that Abbas is exploiting the trademark for financial gain through licensing arrangements rather than creating products under the brand. Legal experts suggest that it is crucial for platforms and legal systems to establish better mechanisms to prevent the misuse of trademarks in this manner.
The trademark for “bruh” was officially registered by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in July 2025, authorizing its use in various clothing categories. Another trademark for the same term was recently granted to Abbas for advertising restaurant services.
After discovering Abbas’s website outlining the protection of the “bruh” trademark and offering licensing options, Karam expressed his concerns about what he perceives as trademark squatting. Abbas demanded $1,000 from Karam to withdraw the complaints related to the Etsy listings, an offer that Karam rejected.
Despite Abbas withdrawing the complaint later on, Karam is exploring legal avenues to challenge the trademark on the grounds of bad faith. According to Canadian trademark laws updated in 2019, trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated, although the interpretation of this provision is still evolving.
The debate over the ownership of common terms and phrases as trademarks continues, with experts emphasizing the importance of context in determining trademark eligibility. While the “bruh” trademark has been granted, questions persist about its enforcement and potential infringement on Etsy listings.
Karam’s situation highlights the challenges faced by small businesses in navigating trademark disputes, especially when legal recourse may be financially prohibitive. Experts suggest the need for clearer regulations to prevent trademark abuse and ensure fair practices in the marketplace.