Etsy seller's 'bruh' T-shirts were removed over a trademark complaint. He says it's trademark squatting
An Etsy seller is facing trademark infringement claims for using the word 'bruh' on apparel, leading to listing removals and a drop in sales. The seller accuses the trademark holder of 'trademark squatting' to extort licensing fees.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between online marketplaces, intellectual property laws, and the practice of trademarking common slang.
"It's usually one or two listings. It's not 11 in a row. So that obviously caught our attention pretty quickly," Karam said.
Karam, who owns the U.S.-based apparel company Customized Designs and sells clothing on sites like Etsy, says the platform also revoked his Star Seller badge — a mark given by the platform that means the seller provides top-tier customer service. Following that, he says he noticed an immediate drop in sales.
In the email, Etsy told Karam the shirt had been reported by someone named Malik Yawar Abbas, who holds a Canadian trademark for the term "bruh."
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