Dua Lipa sued Samsung Electronics on Friday (May 8), accusing the consumer electronics giant of using her photo on TV packaging without her permission or any payment, and is seeking at least $15 million in damages.
The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, which you can read here, alleges that Samsung used a copyrighted image of Lipa on the cardboard boxes of TVs it sold across the US.
Lipa says she owns the copyright to the photo, which is registered with the US Copyright Office under Copyright Registration No. VA 2-479-685. The image is titled “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024.”
Lipa discovered the unauthorized use of the image in June 2025 and immediately sent a cease-and-desist demand to Samsung, according to the lawsuit. However, her lawyers wrote: “Samsung has repeatedly refused to do so, and instead has continued to willfully, intentionally, and purposefully infringe on Ms. Lipa’s rights for its financial benefit, maintaining for sale the Infringing Products bearing the DL Image.”
“Samsung’s response has been dismissive and callous, and the Infringing Products remain on the market to this day, still being sold throughout the country in ongoing acts of willful infringement,” the complaint read.
Lipa’s lawyers added that the artist’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 claims that the cardboard boxes bearing Lipa’s image “induced potential consumers to buy them because it featured Ms. Lipa.” One fan allegedly noted: “I wasn’t even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it.”
Another social media user wrote that they would “get that tv just because Dua is on it,” while another noted: “if you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also described Samsung’s “infringing conduct” as “a mockery of [Lipa’s] hard work in establishing a successful brand,” adding that it has deprived her of the ability to control and monetize her assets.
Lipa has won three Grammy Awards and has held brand ambassador agreements with Puma, YSL Beauty, Bvlgari, and Nespresso, among others. Her lawyers described her as “highly selective” in her commercial partnerships.
Lipa’s legal team argued that Samsung has “profited, and continues to profit, immensely” from the use of Lipa’s image.
“On information and belief, a significant portion of the televisions sold by Samsung in the United States in 2025 and to date bear the DL Image on their boxes, the use of which has contributed in no insignificant way to the enormous revenue generated for Samsung by the sales of these televisions,” the complaint added.
The claims span copyright infringement, vicarious copyright infringement, false endorsement and trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, trademark infringement, violation of right of publicity under California Civil Code, and more.
The lawsuit names both Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its South Korean parent company Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Lipa is demanding a jury trial and is seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting Samsung from using the artist’s copyright, trademark and publicity rights, an award of actual damages of at least $15 million, an award of punitive damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.
Music Business Worldwide
