Louis Vuitton has sued Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel in federal court over look-alike bags and other giveaway items that allegedly copied the luxury brand’s designs and falsely suggested a connection between the two businesses.
Filed June 1 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the lawsuit names PPE Casino Resorts Maryland LLC, which does business as Live! Casino & Hotel, and The Cordish Companies Inc. The complaint claims the promotions were designed to draw customers to the Hanover property by using items tied to the look and reputation of Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton, founded in the 19th century, is known for luxury goods, including handbags, luggage, and accessories. Its interlocking “LV” mark, monogram pattern, and floral designs are among the company’s most recognizable features.
The filing focuses on a casino promotion called “The Art of Luxury,” which offered handbags, backpacks, toiletry bags, and other merchandise to members through the casino’s rewards program. The lawsuit alleges that the items bore Louis Vuitton-style designs, copied parts of the company’s monogram and floral patterns, and also displayed casino branding.
The luxury brand maintains that the promotional items were not authorized, licensed, or approved and could have left customers with the impression that Maryland Live! had a relationship with the company.
After Louis Vuitton objected in writing in April 2026 through a cease-and-desist letter, Maryland Live! allegedly moved forward with another promotion called “Endless Elegance.” The fashion house claims the second campaign offered customers a chance to win purportedly authentic Louis Vuitton merchandise after it had already raised objections.
The legal claims include trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, false association, false endorsement, and trademark dilution, along with Maryland common-law unfair competition. In the filing, Louis Vuitton claims the casino used the fashion company’s name and designs to promote its own business without permission.
Trademark protection is not limited to a company name. Logos, patterns, symbols, and other recognizable features can also be protected when customers associate them with a particular business. False association and false endorsement claims focus on confusion over approval, sponsorship, or connection, the kind of impression created when one business uses another brand’s identity in a way that suggests a relationship.
Louis Vuitton alleges the disputed designs were identical or nearly identical to its registered marks, the kind of close copying targeted by trademark counterfeiting claims. Dilution law gives famous brands added protection from uses that may weaken the recognition or reputation tied to a trademark.
As part of the requested relief, Louis Vuitton seeks the destruction of allegedly infringing products and corrective advertising. The company wants customers to be notified that the disputed giveaway products were not authentic and that Maryland Live! has no association with the brand.
Beyond destruction of the products and corrective advertising, the lawsuit seeks profits tied to the disputed campaigns, actual damages, court costs, interest, and attorneys’ fees. Louis Vuitton also seeks up to $2 million per counterfeit mark per type of good for alleged willful counterfeiting, a remedy available under federal law when exact financial harm is difficult to measure.
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