A small online magazine named Dogue is fighting back against a lawsuit filed by Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue, alleging trademark infringement. Dogue's founder, Oli Port, has filed a counterclaim asserting that Condé Nast copied her magazine's concept and name.
Condé Nast, a veteran publishing house, claims that Dogue's name and appearance infringe on Vogue's trademarks. The publisher argues that the existence of Dogue, particularly its online presence, is intended to confuse consumers and could irreparably damage Vogue's reputation. Lawyers for Condé Nast have reportedly demanded that Dogue cease publication, pay unspecified damages, and surrender all copies for destruction.
However, Port contends that Condé Nast is the party that engaged in copying. She launched Dogue in 2019, initially as a light-hearted project focused on "dog fashion and dog culture." While Dogue's print sales are minimal, with only about 100 copies of a limited edition sold and distributed from a single newsstand in Beverly Hills, Port states her online magazine gained popularity on social media. She alleges that Vogue then launched its own online magazine, also titled Dogue, in August 2024, featuring celebrities and their pets. This campaign by Vogue included appearances by stars such as Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, and Millie Bobby Brown with their dogs.
Port described the legal battle as intimidating for a solo entrepreneur facing a global media conglomerate like Condé Nast, which also owns publications such as Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. Despite the disparity in resources, she expressed a determination to stand up for her independent creative work.
David Makman, Dogue's legal representative, echoed Port's sentiment, stating that any confusion was created by Vogue's actions. He argued that consumers would not confuse a dog-focused magazine with the established Vogue brand, which has no direct association with canines.
Port is reportedly seeking legal advice from Bruce Haas, owner of Haute Diggity Dog, a pet toy company that previously prevailed against Louis Vuitton in a similar intellectual property dispute over plush dog toys named Chewy Vuitton. Condé Nast has stated that it made attempts to resolve the matter with Dogue before initiating legal action, emphasizing its commitment to protecting the intellectual property of its creative teams.