Sam Joseph Karam was surprised to find out that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” were removed from the online marketplace Etsy due to a trademark violation. Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, a U.S.-based apparel company, expressed concern over the simultaneous removal of multiple listings. Additionally, Etsy revoked his Star Seller badge, leading to a decline in sales.
The trademark infringement report came from Malik Yawar Abbas, who holds the Canadian trademark for the term “bruh.” Karam and other Etsy sellers reported similar takedowns following complaints from Abbas. Karam accused Abbas of “trademark squatting,” suggesting that Abbas aims to profit by licensing the term rather than using it to create products.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) granted a trademark for “bruh” in connection with selling clothing in 2025. Another trademark for the same term was recently approved for use in advertising restaurant services by Abbas. Despite inquiries, CIPO did not provide specific details about the “bruh” trademark.
Karam discovered Abbas’s website, which highlighted the protection of the “bruh” trademark and offered licensing options for its use. Abbas defended the website’s content as showcasing potential commercial applications of the brand.
Abbas proposed a $1,000 settlement to withdraw the complaints against Karam’s listings on Etsy, which Karam refused, labeling it as a bad-faith tactic. Abbas later retracted the complaints after the designs were removed from the platform.
Legal experts suggest that trademarks filed in bad faith can be invalidated under Canadian law. However, the interpretation of bad faith in such cases remains uncertain. Abbas maintains that the “bruh” trademark was lawfully registered for commercial licensing purposes.
Trademark experts clarify that trademark registration does not equate to owning the word outright. The context in which a trademark is used determines infringement. Etsy sellers affected by trademark takedowns faced challenges in appealing the decisions.
Cases like these are uncommon in Canada, as trademark disputes can be financially burdensome, particularly for small businesses. Tighter regulations may be necessary to prevent trademark squatting and ensure fair trademark enforcement practices.
In conclusion, the situation involving the “bruh” trademark on Etsy underscores the need for clearer guidelines and processes to address potential bad-faith trademarks and improve the appeals process for affected sellers.
