Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million in a dispute over the unauthorized use of her image. The British pop star, 30, filed the lawsuit on Friday, accusing the electronics giant of using a photograph of her face to promote televisions without obtaining her consent or offering compensation.
According to the legal filing, Samsung allegedly began featuring Lipa's image on marketing materials and cardboard boxes for its TVs worldwide at the start of 2025. Lipa holds the copyright to the photograph, which was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024. The lawsuit states, "Ms. Lipa's face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever. Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use."
Samsung's Response
Samsung responded with a statement to The Independent, explaining that the image was provided by a content partner for Samsung TV Plus, the company's free streaming service. "The image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes," the statement read. "Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse. Samsung has great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists. We have actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution with Ms. Lipa's team."
Allegations of Dismissiveness
When Lipa discovered the advertising, she requested that Samsung cease using the image. However, the lawsuit alleges that the company was "dismissive and callous" and refused her request. The suit claims that Samsung profited from using Lipa's image, implying an endorsement that did not exist. The filing includes comments from fans on social media, suggesting that some customers were motivated to purchase Samsung TVs because they believed Lipa had endorsed the product. One comment quoted in the complaint said, "I wasn't even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it." Another wrote on Instagram, "I'd get that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it."
Legal Claims and Damages
Lipa's lawsuit accuses Samsung of copyright infringement, violation of the right of publicity, and false endorsement. She is seeking at least $15 million in damages, as well as the profits Samsung earned from the alleged unauthorized use of her image. Her legal team also alleges violations of California's right of publicity law, the federal Lanham Act, and trademark claims, which protect celebrities from commercial exploitation of their identities without permission.
Previous Legal Victory
This is not the first time Lipa has defended her image in court. Last year, she won a lawsuit against songwriters L Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, who claimed she copied the melody of her hit song "Levitating" from their disco tracks "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" (1979) and "Don Diablo" (1980). The judge ruled that the similar elements of the songs "lacked sufficient originality alone" to be protected under copyright law.
Lipa's representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment from The Independent.
