Sam Joseph Karam, a T-shirt designer and owner of Customized Designs in the U.S., was surprised when he received an email from the online marketplace Etsy informing him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” had been removed due to a trademark violation. This sudden action raised suspicions for Karam, as it was unusual to have multiple listings taken down at once.
In addition to the takedowns, Etsy also revoked Karam’s Star Seller badge, impacting his sales performance on the platform. The email from Etsy mentioned that the complaint leading to the removal had come from Malik Yawar Abbas, the holder of the Canadian trademark for the term “bruh.”
Karam and several other Etsy sellers shared similar experiences with CBC News, where their products were removed following complaints from Abbas. Karam criticized Abbas for what he called “trademark squatting,” accusing him of exploiting the trademark for financial gain rather than producing goods himself.
The dispute stemmed from Abbas holding the Canadian trademark for “bruh,” issued by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in 2025. Abbas defended his actions, stating that his aim was to create a licensing brand associated with the term.
Despite the removal of the listings and subsequent withdrawal of the complaint by Abbas, Karam expressed frustration over the impact on his business. He is exploring legal options with the help of an intellectual property lawyer to challenge the trademark’s validity based on alleged bad faith intentions.
Experts like Carys Craig from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School highlighted the complexities of trademark laws and the potential for trademarks to be invalidated if filed in bad faith. While the legal implications of this case remain uncertain, the incident sheds light on the challenges faced by small businesses dealing with trademark disputes.
In response to the situation, Etsy emphasized its commitment to addressing infringement notices promptly and advised sellers to engage with complainants directly if they wish to contest takedown decisions. Paula Clancy, an intellectual property law partner, acknowledged the dilemma faced by sellers in appealing such decisions without incurring substantial legal costs.
This case reflects a rare occurrence in Canada, where disputes over trademark rights raise questions about the balance between protecting intellectual property and preventing over-enforcement. Calls for stricter regulations and improved processes to challenge potentially problematic trademarks underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to trademark disputes in the digital marketplace.