Dua Lipa sues Samsung for putting her picture on its TV boxes

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for copyright and trademark infringement.
• The lawsuit alleges Samsung used her photos without permission.
• The complaint demands at least $15 million in damages.

Overview

Pop star Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung, alleging that the company used her likeness on the front of cardboard boxes containing Samsung‑manufactured televisions for retail sale. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Allegations

• Unauthorized Use of Image – Samsung placed a backstage photograph of Lipa (taken in Austin in 2024) on its TV boxes without her permission.
• Copyright, Trademark, and Right of Publicity Infringement – Lipa claims she holds valuable copyright, trademark, and publicity rights in her name, image, and likeness, all of which were violated.
• Dismissive Response – Lipa says she contacted Samsung to request removal of the image, but the company responded “dismissively and callously.”
• Misleading Commercial Implication – The lawsuit argues Samsung profited from the false implication that Lipa endorsed its TVs, noting that several social‑media users cited the image as a factor in their purchase decisions.
• Selective Partnerships – Lipa emphasizes that she is selective about commercial partnerships and would not have licensed her image for the sale of the alleged infringing products.

Context

Samsung has previously partnered with musical artists (e.g., a BTS‑branded Galaxy S20 Plus). However, the use of Lipa’s image on retail packaging without proper clearance marks a departure from its usual due‑diligence practices.

Relief Sought

The complaint requests:

• A permanent injunction prohibiting Samsung from using Lipa’s likeness or infringing her copyrights.
• Monetary damages of no less than $15 million.

References

• Court filing (PDF)
• Coverage by Variety: Dua Lipa sues Samsung for selling TVs with her image
• Earlier Samsung data‑collection lawsuit: Android Authority article
• Samsung’s past artist collaborations: Android Authority article on BTS edition