Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15 million for allegedly using her image to sell TVs
The lawsuit alleges that Samsung included a copyrighted image of the pop star on the front of cardboard boxes containing televisions for retail sale, allowing the company to capitalize on what appeared to be her endorsement of the product. In the lawsuit, it was stated that the image allegedly used on TV boxes was titled “Dua Lipa – Behind the Scenes at Austin City Limits, 2024” and that all rights, title and interest in the image belonged to Lipa. The lawsuit was filed Friday in California federal court.
A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics declined to comment, saying it could not comment on pending litigation; Dua Lipa’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case. Aside from copyright and trademark infringement, Dua Lipa accused Samsung Electronics of violating her rights of publicity.
Lipa’s lawyers included screenshots of social media posts and comments claiming that the pop star’s image on the front of the boxes swayed potential customers to buy the product. One of these screenshots shows a fan saying they would buy the TV “just because Dua is there.” The “Levitating” singer became aware of Samsung’s alleged infringement in June last year and demanded that Samsung stop using her image, but the electronics maker repeatedly refused, her lawyers said.
They added that Samsung’s alleged use of Dua Lipa’s image without permission caused and continues to result in the pop star’s “brand identity and business reputation being diluted by falsely communicating to consumers that she endorses and endorses the products in question.”
