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 infringement claim, Sam Joseph Karam expressed skepticism. Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, a U.S.-based apparel company, noticed the unusual number of listings taken down, which also led to the removal of his Star Seller badge and a subsequent decline in sales.
The email from Etsy cited a complaint by Malik Yawar Abbas, the Canadian trademark holder for “bruh,” as the reason for the takedowns. Karam and other Etsy sellers reported similar instances where their listings were removed following complaints by Abbas, who they accuse of holding the trademark solely for licensing purposes rather than creating products.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office granted Abbas the trademark for “bruh” in 2025 for selling clothing and later for advertising restaurant services. Despite backlash, Abbas defended his actions, stating that he aims to develop a licensing brand. Karam, however, views this as trademark squatting and has considered legal action to challenge the trademark’s validity based on bad faith.
Under Canadian trademark laws, trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated. Legal experts, such as Carys Craig from York University, suggest that the way Abbas is handling the “bruh” trademark could potentially meet the criteria for bad faith. Despite trademarking a word, it does not guarantee complete ownership, and the context in which the trademark is used plays a crucial role in determining infringement.
Paula Clancy, an intellectual property law partner, mentioned that certain uses of the trademark may not constitute infringement, depending on how it is incorporated into the products. Etsy sellers like Karam faced challenges in appealing takedown decisions due to the platform’s policies. Abbas maintained that his intention was not to hinder ordinary usage of the term but to protect his trademark rights.
Cases like these are uncommon in Canada, where trademark disputes often involve unauthorized use rather than trademark holders enforcing their rights. Craig highlighted the need for stricter regulations to prevent trademark squatting and suggested revisions to allow sellers to dispute trademark takedowns on online platforms. She emphasized the importance of balancing trademark protection with fair access to language and expression.