Pop sensation Dua Lipa has taken legal action against Samsung, accusing the tech giant of unauthorized use of her image to promote their television sets. This lawsuit, which was lodged in federal court in California last Friday, centers around claims of copyright and trademark violations as well as infringement on Lipa’s “right of publicity.”
Lipa’s legal team asserts that Samsung featured her likeness on their TV packaging without her consent. The photograph in question, reportedly taken backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival, is owned by the singer herself. The lawsuit seeks damages that could amount to as much as $15 million.
The legal complaint argues that Samsung’s actions were a calculated attempt to exploit Lipa’s fame for commercial gain. The image’s inclusion on the packaging, the lawsuit suggests, falsely implies an endorsement by Lipa and undermines her brand’s integrity. Fueling these claims, a social media user remarked they would “get that TV just because Dua is on it,” highlighting the potential consumer confusion.
In response, Samsung acknowledged its use of Lipa’s image in 2025. The company defended its actions, stating that the image was utilized to showcase the content available through their partners on Samsung TV Plus, a free streaming service. Samsung claims this content was originally provided by one of their third-party partners.
The complaint also claims that the image deceives customers into thinking Lipa has endorsed the product and dilutes her brand identity. In one social media post, a fan commented that they would “get that TV just because Dua is on it,” according to the suit.
Samsung in a statement acknowledged it used an image of Lipa in 2025 but said it did so to “reflect the content of our third-party partners that is available on Samsung TVs and was originally provided by a content partner for our free streaming service Samsung TV Plus.”
“The image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes,” Samsung said. “Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse.”
Representatives for Lipa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lipa first became aware that Samsung was using her copyrighted image in June 2025 and demanded that the company stop, a request the South Korean electronics manufacturer has “repeatedly refused” to comply with, her lawyers allege.
“Samsung’s response has been dismissive and callous, and the Infringing products remain on the market to this day. …” according to the lawsuit.
Samsung in its statement said it “has great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists” and has “actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution with Ms. Lipa’s team.”
