Dua Lipa Sues Samsung for $15 Million Over Use of Her Image on TV Boxes
The pop singer accuses the electronics manufacturer of using a copyrighted photograph of her from the 2024 Austin City Limits festival on television packaging sold across the United States without permission. The lawsuit, filed Friday in California federal court, alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violation of publicity rights.
Pop singer Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics seeking at least $15 million in damages after the company allegedly used her image on cardboard boxes for its televisions sold at retail stores across the United States. The complaint states that Samsung featured a copyrighted photograph titled "Dua Lipa — Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024" on the front of packaging for multiple television models.
The singer owns all rights to the image, which was taken during her 2024 performance at the Austin City Limits festival. Lipa first learned of the alleged infringement in June 2025. She demanded that the company stop using the image, but Samsung repeatedly refused to comply, according to the filing.
The lawsuit claims the unauthorized use allowed the company to benefit from what appeared to be her endorsement of the products. Her legal team argues she is highly selective about commercial partnerships and would not have licensed her image for this purpose.
The packaging was designed to capitalize on the singer's success to promote and sell the company's products, the complaint states. Samsung's continued sale of the boxes after her demands constitutes willful infringement, according to the filing. Lipa accuses the company of copyright infringement, trademark infringement and misappropriation of her likeness and image.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Lipa's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The singer maintains several high-end commercial partnerships with brands including Puma, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent.
She has also collaborated with Apple, Porsche, Chanel and became a global ambassador for Nespresso. Her most recent album, Radical Optimism, was released in 2024. >"Samsung has refused to comply with Ms. " — Lipa complaint, May 2026 (ABC News) The case adds to Lipa's prior legal efforts to protect her intellectual property.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- May 11, 8:02 AM ET
2 new sources added: Euronews, Nbc News
2 sourcesEuronews · Nbc News - June 2025
Dua Lipa first became aware of her image appearing on Samsung television boxes.
4 sourcesABC · BBC News · Rappler - 2025
Lipa demanded Samsung stop using the image but the company refused.
4 sourcesABC · BBC News · Rappler - May 8 2026
Lipa filed the lawsuit in California federal court seeking at least $15 million.
4 sourcesABC · BBC News · Rappler - May 11 2026
Multiple outlets reported details of the complaint including social media evidence.
4 sourcesABC · BBC News · Rappler
Potential Impact
- 01
Samsung may need to redesign television packaging for models still in retail distribution.
- 02
The case could establish precedent on use of celebrity images in product packaging.
- 03
Lipa's selective branding strategy receives renewed public attention through the filing.
- 04
Social media fan comments become formal evidence in intellectual property litigation.
Transparency Panel
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