Doggies the world over are outraged that a magazine dedicated to them, Dogue, is being accused of copyright infringement.
Condé Nast, the publisher of fashion bible Vogue, filed a lawsuit in federal court in December 2025 arguing that Dogue — a Los Angeles-based magazine specializing in canine fashion — has infringed the trademark for Vogue.
Lawyers for the publishing giant, which also owns Vanity Fair, GQ and the New Yorker, have argued that the dog magazine’s logo was “obviously intended” to confuse readers by implying a relationship between the two publications and was “likely to damage Condé Nast irreparably.”
Olga Portnaya, the creator and editor in chief of Dogue, is defending the action. She told the New York Times that she believes the lawsuit is part of a bigger issue impacting independent artists. “Art and culture have always evolved through reinterpretation and dialogue,” Portnaya said in an interview published on Tuesday, March 17.
“For me, this is a larger fight: I’m not just fighting for my own work and our community, but for other independent creators.”
In a statement shared with PEOPLE last week, Portnaya added that she is fighting the suit because she wants “to protect creative independent work and ensure that independent creators like me are not pushed aside when larger entities decide to adopt their successful ideas. Creative work deserves to be respected regardless of financial backing.”
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Dogue vs Vogue
Dogue began as an Instagram as part of a 2019 digital project called “Coverdogs” that featured dog-centric parodies of magazine covers.
Portnaya said Dogue “reflects my sense of humor as a Vogue parody and is not likely to be confused with Vogue.” The account became a print publication in 2021.
According to Portnaya, the Dogue trademark was filed in 2022 and obtained a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) approval in 2025.
Dogue is only sold at one newsstand in Beverly Hills, sells about 100 copies per issue. Versions of the magazine are also available online.
“Dogue is a dog fashion magazine that has always been clearly branded, independently authored, and distinct in both concept and execution,” Portnaya claims.
“[It] celebrates dogs as the stars — not as fashion accessories — while promoting animal welfare.”
Portnaya has created a GoFundMe campaign to help finance her defence against Condé Nast.
Top image: Dogue vs Vogue. Image: Instagram