Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland is taking legal action against a promotional products firm based in Las Vegas, asserting that it provided the allegedly counterfeit Louis Vuitton-inspired handbags involved in a trademark dispute with the luxury fashion brand.
The complaint was submitted on Tuesday (July 28) in a Maryland federal court and aims to transfer liability from the casino operator PPE Casino Resorts Maryland and its parent company The Cordish Companies to Power Promotions LLC, a Nevada-based enterprise that provides promotional items to casinos nationwide.
Handbag Showdown
In June, Louis Vuitton initiated a lawsuit against Live! Casino, accusing it of distributing counterfeit handbags and other accessories linked to an April promotion named “The Art of Luxury.” The luxury brand contended that the giveaway infringed its trademarks and undermined its brand integrity.
The fashion house alleged that the promotional bags replicated its unique monogram canvas design, including its distinctive floral motifs, but replaced the iconic “LV” initials with the word “Live!”—a move they described as “particularly audacious.”
Live! Casino contends that it relied on Power Promotions to verify the legality of the products before they were offered to consumers.
The filing indicates that Power Promotions is specialized in providing promotional items for the casino sector and maintained a long-standing partnership with Live! Casino, supplying custom giveaways for promotional events.
Live! Casino asserts that it was inherently understood within this relationship that Power Promotions bore the responsibility to vet products to ensure compliance with relevant laws and to ensure that any branded merchandise was duly authorized.
According to the lawsuit, Live! Casino paid $167,162 for the “Lux Monogram” handbags after Power Promotions proposed these products for a first-quarter 2026 event. These handbags were subsequently given out to visitors during the April promotion.
Cease and Desist Orders
Following a cease-and-desist letter from Louis Vuitton in April, the casino claims it contacted Power Promotions and emphasized that the firm was responsible for ensuring that the bag’s design did not breach third-party intellectual property rights.
Per the complaint, Dean Katris, principal of Power Promotions, informed the casino that he had not sought legal advice regarding the design and instead depended on the overseas manufacturer to confirm compliance with intellectual property laws.
Live! Casino also alleges that Power Promotions later rejected requests to defend and indemnify the casino against Louis Vuitton’s claims.
The casino is seeking indemnification, contribution, damages for perceived breaches of contract and warranty, as well as reimbursement for any damages, legal fees, or costs it may eventually face if the Louis Vuitton lawsuit is successful.
Power Promotions presents itself on its website as a provider of marketing and promotional gifts to over 300 casinos across the U.S., focusing on tailored VIP promotions and casino loyalty initiatives.
As of now, Power Promotions has not submitted a response to the court. Casino.org has reached out to the company for comments but did not receive a response prior to publication.