When Sam Joseph Karam received an email notification from the online marketplace Etsy stating that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the slang term “bruh” had been removed due to a trademark violation, he became suspicious. Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, a U.S.-based apparel company selling products on various platforms including Etsy, found it unusual as usually, it is only one or two listings that get flagged, not 11 consecutively. The removal of his designs led to the loss of his Star Seller badge on Etsy, impacting his sales performance.
The email from Etsy informed Karam that the takedown was initiated by Malik Yawar Abbas, a Canadian trademark holder for the term “bruh.” Karam is among several Etsy sellers who have encountered similar situations where their listings were removed following complaints by Abbas. Karam described Abbas as someone who is profiting by licensing the term instead of producing products himself, a practice he referred to as “trademark squatting.”
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) granted a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025 for various clothing types and recently approved another trademark for Abbas related to advertising restaurant services. Despite inquiries, CIPO did not provide specific details about the “bruh” trademark. Karam discovered Abbas’ website, showcasing how he safeguards the trademark and offering licensing options for its use.
When Karam reached out to Abbas regarding the Etsy takedowns, Abbas proposed a settlement where Karam would pay $1,000 to resolve the matter. Karam declined, indicating his belief that the situation constituted trademark squatting. Abbas later withdrew the complaint to Etsy after the designs were removed, but Karam expressed concerns about the lasting impact on his business.
Under Canadian trademark laws established in 2019, trademarks filed in “bad faith” can be invalidated. Experts like Carys Craig from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School highlighted the challenge of determining bad faith in such cases. Despite the legal nuances, Abbas asserted that the trademark was legitimately obtained for commercial licensing purposes and denied any bad faith intentions.
Trademarking a word does not equate to owning it outright; however, trademarks aim to distinguish brands’ products or services. The context of the word’s usage determines its trademark eligibility. Paula Clancy, an intellectual property law partner, explained that alleged trademark infringement depends on how the trademark is utilized, suggesting that certain uses of the term “bruh” may not infringe.
Etsy’s response to takedown requests aligns with policies to address infringement concerns promptly. However, the lack of an appeals process poses challenges for affected sellers. Clancy acknowledged the importance of platforms like Etsy taking trademark issues seriously but noted the difficulties for sellers in contesting these decisions.
Cases like this, where trademark disputes involve small businesses and trademark over-enforcement, are relatively uncommon in Canada. Experts underscore the need for stricter regulations to prevent potential trademark abuses and emphasize the importance of fair processes for challenging trademarks and appealing takedowns on online platforms.
Overall, the situation surrounding the “bruh” trademark underscores the evolving landscape of trademark enforcement and the necessity for balanced regulations to protect both trademark rights and creative expression.