Dua Lipa Sues Samsung for $15M Over Unauthorized Image Use
BBC Business reported Monday that pop star Dua Lipa has filed a $15M federal lawsuit against Samsung, claiming the electronics giant placed her photograph on television packaging without seeking or receiving her approval.
The complaint was lodged Friday in the US District Court for the Central District of California. It alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and the wrongful commercial exploitation of Lipa’s likeness.
Samsung’s Packaging at the Center of the Dispute
According to the filing, a photograph of Lipa taken during her 2024 Austin City Limits Festival performance appeared on packaging for multiple Samsung television models sold across the United States. Lipa’s legal team states she holds the copyright to that image.
The suit alleges Samsung used the artwork to benefit commercially from Lipa’s celebrity profile. Her lawyers claim Samsung ignored repeated written demands to stop using her likeness before the lawsuit was filed.
Lipa reportedly first discovered the unauthorized use in June 2025. Fans had already begun circulating images of the packaging on social media, with some labeling it the “Dua Lipa TV Box.” The filing cited specific social media comments, including one user stating they would purchase the television solely because of Lipa’s image on the box.
A Star With a Carefully Managed Brand
The lawsuit’s background section underscores why unauthorized use carries such financial weight. Lipa maintains high-profile commercial agreements with Puma, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent. She has also worked alongside Apple, Porsche, and Chanel, and recently became a global ambassador for Nespresso.
The complaint frames her brand partnerships as evidence that her likeness carries demonstrable market value. Unauthorized use, her legal team argues, undermines the exclusivity those agreements depend on.
Lipa released her most recent studio album, Radical Optimism, in 2024. The BBC noted Samsung had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
What the Case Could Mean for Celebrity Image Rights
Right-of-publicity cases involving major consumer electronics brands are relatively rare. Most such disputes involve smaller advertisers or digital platforms. A $15M claim against a global hardware manufacturer could draw wider attention to how product packaging is reviewed before going to market.
Legal observers note that image-rights enforcement has grown more aggressive as celebrities treat their likenesses as standalone commercial assets. Courts in California have historically been receptive to such claims, making the Central District a strategically favorable venue for plaintiffs.
Samsung has not yet filed a response to the complaint.
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