Vogue publisher Condé Nast is suing the dog parody magazine “Dogue” for trademark infringement.
The prestigious Manhattan-based media giant filed its suit in December against the independent Los Angeles publisher in a California district court.
Condé Nast contends the “defendant’s deliberate choice of a confusingly similar mark is obviously intended to, and likely to, result in consumer confusion that Condé Nast has endorsed or is affiliated with Defendant’s publication and in unwanted association with Vogue.”
The esteemed publishing house said in its complaint that it tried resolving the matter outside of court, but the defendant wouldn’t bite.
Dogue, which is sold at by a single newsstand in Beverly Hills, Calif., sells about 100 copies per issue, according to the New York Times. It also as an online component. The publication launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for its legal fees.
That initiative raised just over $8,000 by Thursday evening. The fundraiser says “the world’s first dog fashion magazine,” which was established in 2019, is meant “to celebrate dogs, dog fashion, creativity, and culture with a bold, independent vision.”
Dogue takes credit for having produced 24 print issues and 3,000 digital covers since its inception. Its publisher, Tasty Work, said it has a pair of trademarks pending. One that was approved in 2025 is being challenged, the magazine said.
Dogue Editor-in-Chief Olga Portnaya said in a statement sent to People that she’s fighting Conde Nast “to protect creative independent work” like her canine couture publication.
Conde Nast, whose properties also include GQ, Vanity Fair and Glamour, started Vogue in 1892. The publisher said in its lawsuit that 27-million
people read the magazine in some form each month.
The company is asking the courts to allow Condé Nast to destroy all Dogue publications and merchandising bearing the Dogue logo and name inspired by Vogue. The plaintiff is also asking for punitive and compensatory damages.