After receiving an email from Etsy notifying him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” were removed for trademark infringement, Sam Joseph Karam, the owner of Customized Designs, expressed suspicion, citing the unusual number of takedowns. Additionally, Etsy rescinded his Star Seller badge, impacting his sales performance.
The email informed Karam that the complaint leading to the removals was filed by Malik Yawar Abbas, who holds the Canadian trademark for “bruh.” Karam and other Etsy sellers reported similar experiences, with multiple takedowns attributed to complaints from Abbas.
Karam accused Abbas of trademark squatting, alleging that Abbas aims to profit by licensing the term rather than using it in a product of his own. Legal experts suggest that platforms and legal systems should enhance measures to prevent trademarks from being exploited in this manner.
Abbas obtained a trademark for “bruh” in 2025 for selling various clothing items, and a separate trademark was recently granted for advertising restaurant services. Despite Karam’s attempt to resolve the issue with Abbas, the latter proposed a $1,000 payment for withdrawal of the complaint, which Karam declined, citing bad faith intentions.
Although Abbas eventually retracted the complaint to Etsy after the designs were removed, Karam is exploring legal action to challenge the trademark’s validity on the grounds of bad faith. Canada’s trademark laws include provisions to invalidate trademarks filed in bad faith, but the interpretation of these laws in this case remains uncertain.
Trademark experts emphasize that trademark registration does not equate to owning a word outright, and the context of its usage matters. Furthermore, legal assessments of potential infringement consider how the trademark is incorporated into the product or service.
While Etsy defended its takedown policy, experts call for improved mechanisms to challenge questionable trademarks and facilitate seller appeals. They caution that cases like this highlight the need for stricter regulations and enhanced protection against trademark squatting and over-enforcement, particularly for small businesses.