Pop Icon Takes Legal Action Against Tech Giant
Dua Lipa has launched a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung, accusing the electronics giant of using her image without permission on packaging for its television models sold across the United States.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, claims Samsung exploited a photograph of Lipa’s face—captured during her 2024 performance at the Austin City Limits Festival—to boost sales, without securing her consent.
Accusations of Copyright and Trademark Violations
The legal complaint highlights multiple violations, including copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and the unauthorized use of Lipa’s likeness. Lipa maintains full copyright ownership of the photograph Samsung used on its TV packaging.
“Samsung’s packaging was deliberately crafted to capitalize on Ms. Lipa’s hard-earned fame to promote and sell their products,” the filing states, emphasizing the singer’s disapproval of the commercial use of her image.
Samsung Responds to Allegations
Samsung denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the image was sourced from a third party and was only used after receiving explicit assurances that all necessary permissions were obtained.
Lipa reportedly discovered her image on Samsung’s TV boxes in June 2025, a revelation that quickly went viral on social media, where users dubbed the product the “Dua Lipa TV Box.”
Legal Battle Poised to Test Celebrity Image Rights
This lawsuit underscores the challenges celebrities face in protecting their likeness from unauthorized commercial exploitation. As the case moves forward, it will be closely watched for its potential impact on image rights and intellectual property law within the entertainment and tech industries.
