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Pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, accusing the tech giant of using her image without permission to promote its television sets. The lawsuit, filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeks at least $15 million in damages, according to reports from Reuters and ABC Australia.

The complaint alleges that Samsung featured a copyrighted photograph of Lipa on the front of cardboard boxes containing televisions for retail sale, enabling the company to benefit from what appeared to be her endorsement of the product. The image, reportedly titled "Dua Lipa — Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024," was taken during the singer's performance at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024, according to BBC News.

Lipa, who owns the copyright to the photograph, accuses Samsung of copyright and trademark infringement as well as breach of publicity rights, as reported by multiple outlets.

Coverage Comparison

The lawsuit has been covered by several news organizations, including ABC Australia, BBC News, Reuters, and Yonhap News Agency. Most reports focus on the allegations and the damages sought, while Yonhap's coverage centers on Samsung's response, which has been published as a denial of the claims.

All sources agree that the lawsuit was filed in a California federal court and that Lipa is seeking at least $15 million. They also agree that the image was used on Samsung TV packaging and that Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph. However, the reports differ in the level of detail on Samsung's defense. Yonhap, a South Korean wire service, is the only source that includes Samsung's official statement denying the allegations, while other outlets note that Samsung declined to comment due to pending litigation.

Key Claims

The central claims in the lawsuit, as reported by all sources, include:

  • Unauthorized use of image: Lipa alleges that Samsung used her photograph on television packaging without her consent. According to the complaint, the packaging was "designed to improperly capitalize on Ms. Lipa's hard-earned success to promote and sell Samsung's products," as quoted by Reuters.
  • Damages sought: Lipa is seeking at least $15 million in damages. This figure is reported by ABC Australia, BBC, Reuters, and Yonhap.
  • Legal violations: The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and breach of publicity rights. BBC and ABC Australia both report these claims.
  • Origin of the image: The photograph was taken during Lipa's 2024 Austin City Limits Festival performance, according to BBC News. The lawsuit states that Lipa owns the copyright to the image.
  • Social media reactions: Lipa's legal team included screenshots of social media posts in the filing, showing fans commenting on the "Dua Lipa TV Box." One Instagram user commented that they would "get that TV just because Dua is on it," as reported by ABC Australia and Reuters.

Samsung's Response

Samsung has denied the allegations, according to Yonhap News Agency. In a statement, the company said that Lipa's image was used in 2025 to reflect the content available on Samsung TVs and that it was originally provided by a content partner for Samsung's free streaming service, Samsung TV Plus.

"The image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes," Samsung said. The company also expressed "great respect" for Lipa and the intellectual property rights of artists, and said it has "actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution" with Lipa's team.

Other outlets, including ABC Australia and BBC, report that Samsung declined to comment on the pending litigation when contacted. BBC also notes that it has reached out to Samsung for comment but does not include a response.

Perspectives

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity image rights and corporate marketing practices. Lipa's legal team argues that Samsung's use of her image without permission constitutes a violation of her rights and an attempt to profit from her fame. Samsung counters that it had no intention of misuse, citing authorization from a content partner and a willingness to resolve the matter amicably.

The case also underscores the role of social media in amplifying perceived endorsement. Lipa's lawyers attached screenshots of fan comments suggesting that the packaging influenced purchasing decisions, which they argue demonstrates the commercial impact of the alleged infringement.

Had the case proceeded differently, it might have been resolved through mediation, as Samsung says it suspended production of the packaging and entered mediation after Lipa raised the issue in July 2025. However, Lipa's team proceeded with the lawsuit.

As of this writing, no court hearing has been scheduled, and Samsung has not responded to requests for comment from other outlets. The lawsuit remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.