Upon 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 became suspicious right away.
Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, a U.S.-based apparel company selling clothes on platforms like Etsy, was surprised by the simultaneous removal of multiple listings. Consequently, his Star Seller badge was revoked by Etsy, leading to a noticeable decline in sales.
The email from Etsy cited a complaint by Malik Yawar Abbas, a Canadian trademark holder for “bruh,” as the reason for the takedowns.
Several Etsy sellers, including Karam, shared similar experiences of having their items removed from the platform following reports by Abbas. Correspondence reviewed by CBC News confirmed this pattern.
A screenshot of an email Etsy sent to Karam, notifying him that some of his designs were taken down following a report by Malik Yawar Abbas, who holds a trademark on the term ‘bruh.’ (CBC)
Karam accused Abbas of “trademark squatting,” alleging that Abbas aims to profit by licensing the word rather than using it to produce goods. Legal experts suggest that platforms and the legal system need to address such misuse of trademarks.
Trademark Dispute and Licensing
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) issued a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025, allowing its use in clothing sales. Abbas also obtained a separate trademark for the term related to advertising restaurant services.
CIPO declined to comment on the specifics of the “bruh” trademark but mentioned that each application undergoes individual assessment.
Following the takedowns, Karam discovered Abbas’s website, showcasing the protection of the “bruh” trademark and offering licensing options for its usage.
Abbas’s website features mock-ups of products using “bruh” but does not sell any clothes, focusing solely on licensing opportunities.
Abbas proposed a $1,000 settlement to withdraw the complaint, which Karam declined, citing concerns of bad faith and trademark misuse.
Abbas, on the other hand, defended his actions, emphasizing the lawful registration of the trademark and its intended use for commercial licensing.
A screenshot of the website advertising the ‘bruh’ trademark. The website prominently advertises options to license the use of the word. (CBC)
Abbas withdrew the complaint after the designs were removed, but Karam expressed dissatisfaction, considering legal action to challenge the trademark validity based on bad faith.
Trademark Validity and Legal Action
Canada’s trademark laws allow for the invalidation of trademarks filed in