Lawsuit Pits Fictional Fashionista Lap Dog Against Flying Bulldog

NEW YORK CITY — A new lawsuit pits a Bergdorf Goodman-loving lap dog against a flying French bulldog named Fanny, accused of “cannibalizing” the profits of a fictional celebrity pup.

Children’s books author Julie Muszynski filed suit Monday accusing publishers of pocketing $30,000 in profits from “Henley,” her series about a fictional fashionista’s glamorous Japanese Chin, Manhattan Supreme Court records show.

Muszynski also accuses Glitterati Incorporated, her publishers, of launching a competing book series about a similarly high-brow hound she says ate up Henley’s profits, the complaint states.

“[Glitterati] has breached its agreements and utterly abandoned all of its obligations to [Muszynski],” the lawsuit claims, “issuing a competing line of children’s books about another fictional dog character—Fanny—whose sales have cannibalized revenues.”

Musyzynski is the author of three Henley adventures — “Henley: A New York Tail,” “Henley On Safari” and “Henley In Hollywood” — all of which were published by Glitterati between 2004 and 2013, according to the suit and publisher’s website.

The books tell the story of a Japanese Chin who is “discovered” at Bergdorf’s and boasts celebrity friends such as the Plaza’s own Eloise.

“Once catapulted into the pupperazzi's limelight, Henley can only think up, up, up and quickly begins his foray into the luxurious life of a celebrity,” according to a Glitterati blurb.

“But what begins as a tour of all that glitters and glows quickly turns into a lesson that celebrates the heart, loyalty, and friendship in its truest form.”

Fanny, meanwhile, is a French bull dog who learns to fly and goes to San Francisco, according to the publisher’s website, which compares the protagonist to “the lovable pup ‘Henley.’”

The lawsuit notes Glitterati is not beholden by contract — as Muszynski is — to refrain from competition, but argues the publishing house should do so out of fairness.

Neither Glitterati nor Muszynski’s attorneys — Derek Adler Siobhan D’Angelo of Hughes, Hubbard and Reed — responded immediately to Patch’s request for comment.

The author asks for an end of Muszynski’s contract, any unpaid royalties and an order requiring Glitterati to stop selling “Henley” books on its website.