Dua Lipa Files $15M Lawsuit Against Samsung Over Unauthorized Image Use
BBC Business reported Monday that pop star Dua Lipa has filed a $15M lawsuit against Samsung in a California federal court. The complaint alleges the electronics giant placed her image on television packaging sold across the United States without her knowledge or approval.
The Allegations Against Samsung
The suit, lodged in the US District Court for the Central District of California, covers multiple legal claims. Those claims include copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and misappropriation of Lipa’s likeness. The photograph in question was reportedly taken during her 2024 Austin City Limits Festival performance. Lipa’s legal team asserts she holds the copyright to that image. The filing argues Samsung’s packaging was engineered to exploit Lipa’s commercial reputation to drive product sales.
Lipa reportedly first discovered her face on Samsung TV boxes in June 2025. Fans quickly amplified the discovery across social media, dubbing it the “Dua Lipa TV Box.” Her legal team alleges Samsung failed to respond to repeated cease-and-desist demands before the suit was filed.
Samsung’s Response
Samsung pushed back firmly on the allegations. The company told BBC Business the image originated from a third-party content partner for its free streaming platform, Samsung TV Plus. Samsung said it only used the image after receiving explicit assurance from that partner that all necessary permissions had been cleared, including for retail box packaging. The company stated it denies any intentional misuse and said it remains open to reaching a resolution with Lipa’s representatives.
Background on Lipa’s Commercial Profile
Lipa’s legal complaint leans heavily on her established value as a brand partner. Court filings reference active commercial deals with Puma, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent. She has also previously partnered with Apple, Porsche, and Chanel, and more recently took on a global ambassador role for Nespresso. The filing argues that unauthorized use of her image directly undermines the exclusivity and value of those carefully managed partnerships. Her most recent studio album, Radical Optimism, arrived in 2024.
What Comes Next
The $15M figure reflects the claimed commercial and reputational damage Lipa’s team attributes to Samsung’s alleged conduct. Cases involving celebrity image rights have grown more complex as streaming platforms blur the line between promotional and content material. Samsung’s acknowledgment that a third party supplied the image may shift attention toward that unnamed partner as litigation progresses. The outcome could set a precedent for how electronics brands handle talent imagery sourced through streaming content agreements.
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