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, Sam Joseph Karam grew suspicious. The owner of Customized Designs, a U.S.-based apparel company selling on various platforms including Etsy, noted the unusual number of listings taken down and the subsequent loss of his Star Seller badge, leading to a decline in sales.
Etsy attributed the takedowns to a complaint by Malik Yawar Abbas, the Canadian trademark holder for “bruh.” Karam and other Etsy sellers reported similar experiences of items being removed following complaints by Abbas. Karam accused Abbas of trademark squatting to profit from licensing the term rather than producing goods.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office issued a trademark for “bruh” in connection with clothing sales in July 2025. Another trademark was granted to Abbas for using the term in advertising restaurant services. Karam discovered Abbas’ website showcasing licensing options for the “bruh” trademark but not selling any clothing.
Abbas proposed a $1,000 settlement to withdraw the complaint against Karam, but the offer was declined. Karam believes the situation signifies trademark squatting. Abbas eventually retracted the complaint, but Karam is exploring legal action to challenge the trademark’s validity.
Canada’s trademark laws allow for the invalidation of trademarks filed in bad faith. While the outcome of such cases is uncertain, experts suggest that the presentation of the “bruh” trademark and takedown requests may qualify as bad faith.
Despite popular use, general terms like “bruh” can be trademarked based on context. Infringement depends on how the trademark is used, with exceptions for ornamental or descriptive purposes. Etsy sellers face challenges in appealing takedown decisions due to platform policies.
Cases like this are uncommon in Canada, where trademark disputes primarily involve unauthorized use. Experts caution that trademark disputes could disproportionately impact small businesses. Tighter regulations may be necessary to address trademark squatting and ensure fair enforcement.