Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15M over alleged unauthorized use of image

According to Varietythe complaint was filed on May 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit names both Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electronics America as defendants.

The complaint alleges Samsung began using Lipa’s image on cardboard packaging for its televisions last year without her consent. After learning about the alleged use, Lipa requested that the company stop displaying the image, the lawsuit states, but Samsung allegedly refused and responded in a “dismissive and callous” manner.

The suit alleges several legal violations, including copyright infringement, violations of California’s right of publicity law, federal Lanham Act claims, and trademark-related offenses.

“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,” the lawsuit states. “Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.”

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics’s TV box featuring an alleged image of British pop singer Dua Lipa used without her permission. Photo from X/atlutd_kyle

Lipa’s attorneys also argued that Samsung profited from the alleged unauthorized use of her image, claiming it helped “induce potential customers,” according to The New York Times.

Samsung declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

The disputed photograph was reportedly taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024. Lipa’s legal team maintains that she owns the copyright to the image.

British pop star Dua Lipa. Photo from Lipas Instagram

British pop star Dua Lipa. Photo from Lipa’s Instagram

Lipa, 31, began her career as a model before signing with Warner Bros. Records in 2014 and launching her music career. She released her self-titled debut album in 2017 and has since won seven Brit Awards and three Grammy Awards.

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