When Sam Joseph Karam received an email from e-commerce platform Etsy informing him that 11 of his T-shirt designs featuring the term “bruh” had been removed due to a trademark violation, he was immediately suspicious. Karam, the owner of U.S.-based apparel company Customized Designs, noted the unusual number of takedowns in one go, triggering his attention.

According to Karam, the removal of his listings led to the revocation of his Star Seller badge on Etsy, indicating a decline in sales shortly after. The email from Etsy attributed the takedown to a complaint by Malik Yawar Abbas, the Canadian trademark holder for the term “bruh.”

Karam is among several Etsy sellers who reported having their products removed from the platform following complaints by Abbas. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) issued a trademark for “bruh” in July 2025, allowing its use in various clothing items. Another trademark granted to Abbas covered the term for advertising restaurant services.

Karam accused Abbas of trademark squatting, alleging that the trademark holder aimed to profit by licensing the term rather than producing goods. Legal experts argue that platforms and the legal system should enhance measures to prevent the misuse of trademarks in such instances.

Abbas insisted that his actions were lawful and focused on building a licensing brand around the “bruh” trademark. He offered Karam a settlement to withdraw the complaint, which Karam refused, citing bad faith intentions from the trademark holder.

Although Abbas retracted the complaint after the designs were removed, Karam is contemplating legal action to challenge the trademark’s validity based on bad faith practices. Experts mention that trademark disputes, especially for small businesses, can be financially burdensome.

The story sheds light on the complexities of trademark ownership and enforcement, emphasizing the need for clearer regulations to address potential trademark abuse. Tighter rules and improved appeal processes on online platforms could help safeguard sellers and prevent misuse of intellectual property rights.

In conclusion, the case exemplifies the challenges posed by trademark disputes and the importance of striking a balance between protecting trademark rights and preventing over-enforcement that could stifle creativity and business growth.