DUA LIPA SUES SAMSUNG FOR $15 MILLION OVER ALLEGED UNAUTHORISED USE OF HER IMAGE

Pop star has filed a $15 million lawsuit against , accusing the technology giant of using her image without permission to market television sets across the United States.

The civil complaint, filed on May 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, alleges that Samsung used an unauthorised photograph of the singer on television packaging and promotional materials distributed throughout 2025 and 2026. Reports of the filing were first published Monday by Billboard and other entertainment media outlets.

THE IMAGE AT THE CENTRE OF THE DISPUTE

According to the complaint, the image was taken backstage during the 2024 . The lawsuit states that Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph and never authorised Samsung to reproduce or commercially distribute it.

Court filings allege that the image appeared on cardboard television packaging tied to Samsung TV Plus products, including boxes featuring the Xite Hits music channel. Lipa’s legal team argues that the use of her likeness falsely suggested an endorsement relationship between the artist and Samsung.

The lawsuit further claims that Lipa became aware of the alleged unauthorised use in June 2025 and subsequently issued cease-and-desist demands to the company. Despite those demands, the complaint alleges that the products remained on sale.

BRAND VALUE AND COMMERCIAL CONTROL

Central to the case is Lipa’s argument that her commercial identity carries substantial market value developed through carefully selected partnerships and endorsements.

The complaint cites previous collaborations involving brands including Puma, Versace, Porsche, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari and Nespresso.

Her legal team argues that Samsung commercially benefited from the public perception that she endorsed the televisions.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS CITED AS EVIDENCE

In a notable aspect of the filing, Lipa’s lawyers included social-media reactions from consumers as evidence of potential commercial influence and public confusion.

Among the comments referenced in the complaint were posts from users claiming they were persuaded to purchase the televisions after seeing Lipa’s image on the packaging. The lawsuit argues that such reactions demonstrate Samsung may have derived measurable commercial benefit from the alleged unauthorised association.

THE LEGAL CLAIMS

The complaint includes allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, violation of California publicity rights law and false endorsement under the federal Lanham Act.

According to the filing, Samsung’s actions allegedly undermined Lipa’s ability to control and monetise her personal brand and commercial image rights.

The singer is seeking damages of no less than $15 million.

SAMSUNG DECLINES COMMENT

As of Monday afternoon, Samsung had not publicly addressed the substance of the allegations. Multiple outlets reported that the company declined comment because of the pending litigation.

The lawsuit adds to a broader period of legal scrutiny surrounding advertising and consumer practices within the smart television industry.