Samsung Sued by Dua Lipa for Unapproved Usage of Her Image

Photo Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images via The Guardian

In early May, international popstar Dua Lipa filed a lawsuit against Korean tech giant Samsung for a minimum of $15 million. The singer alleges that Samsung unlawfully used a copyrighted image of her on a cardboard box used to package the company’s televisions. 

The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California on May 8, details allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and exploitation of her valuable image and likeness. 

The image mentioned in the lawsuit was registered with the US Copyright Office under Registration No. VA 2-479-685. It depicts Lipa backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival back in 2024.

According to the lawsuit, Lipa’s knowledge of the usage of her image came to light in June 2025 when fans took to social media posting the “Dua Lipa TV Box.” According to BBC, the lawsuit points out two comments made on Instagram in response to the packaging: “if you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it” and “get that TV just because Dua is on it.”

Lipa is selective about which brands she partners with, according to ABC News. In the past, she has endorsed brands such as Versace, YSL, and Porsche. By using her image, the lawsuit states Samsung “has deprived her of the ability to control and monetize her assets.”

In response to the lawsuit, Samsung told BBC that they deny any allegations of intentional misuse, because they used the image "only after receiving explicit assurance from [the image's] content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes."

“Samsung has great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists,” the company shared. “We have actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution with Ms. Lipa’s team.”