Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15 million over unauthorised TV packaging use
Synopsis
Dua Lipa is taking on Samsung over a mass-market TV campaign that put her face on packaging without permission or payment. The $15 million lawsuit hinges on whether corporations can profit from celebrity likenesses simply by printing them on product boxes — and whether social media proof of sales uplift constitutes actionable damages.
Key Takeaways
Dua Lipa filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung for unauthorised use of her likeness on TV packaging.
The photograph, owned by Lipa , was taken backstage at Austin City Limits Festival in 2024.
The suit alleges Samsung refused to stop the practice after Lipa demanded cessation.
The complaint cites social media evidence suggesting consumers purchased TVs based on the apparent Lipa endorsement.
Legal claims include copyright violation, California right of publicity infringement, Lanham Act violation, and trademark claims.
Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million lawsuit against electronics manufacturer Samsung, alleging the company used her likeness on TV packaging without her knowledge, consent, or compensation. The complaint, filed in the Central District of California, centres on Samsung's use of Lipa's photograph on cardboard packaging beginning in 2024.
The disputed image and initial demand
The photograph in question was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024, and Lipa owns the copyright to the image. When the singer discovered the unauthorised use, she demanded that Samsung cease the practice. According to the lawsuit, the company responded in a manner the complaint characterises as "dismissive and callous", refusing to comply with her request.
The alleged marketing impact
The suit contends that Samsung profited from the false impression that Lipa had endorsed the product. The complaint cites social media comments suggesting consumers were influenced by the apparent endorsement. One user wrote, "I wasn't even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it", while another stated, "I'd get that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it."
The legal claims
The lawsuit alleges multiple violations: copyright infringement, violation of California's right of publicity statute, a federal Lanham Act claim for false endorsement, and trademark claims. The complaint emphasises that Lipa has cultivated a "premium brand" and is "highly selective" in her product endorsement decisions, making the unauthorised use particularly damaging to her commercial interests.
Why this matters
The case underscores growing tensions between celebrity image rights and corporate marketing practices in the digital age. Unlike traditional endorsement deals, where celebrities negotiate terms and compensation, unauthorised use of likeness on mass-market products raises questions about consent, fair compensation, and brand control — issues increasingly litigated as companies seek to leverage celebrity associations without formal agreements.
Point of View
Long a backwater of entertainment law, are becoming front-and-centre as brands test the boundaries of what they can use without permission.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dua Lipa suing Samsung for?
Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million over the unauthorised use of her likeness on TV packaging. She alleges the company used her photograph on cardboard boxes without her knowledge, consent, or compensation, and refused to stop when she demanded it.
How did Samsung use Dua Lipa's image?
Samsung printed Dua Lipa's photograph on the cardboard packaging of its televisions beginning in 2024. The image was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival, and Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph.
What legal claims are included in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement, violation of California's right of publicity statute, a federal Lanham Act claim for false endorsement, and trademark claims. The complaint emphasises that Samsung profited from the false impression that Lipa had endorsed the product.
Did consumers believe Dua Lipa endorsed Samsung TVs?
Yes. The lawsuit cites social media comments from consumers who stated they purchased Samsung TVs because they believed Dua Lipa had endorsed the product, including one user who wrote, 'I wasn't even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it'.
Where was the lawsuit filed?
The lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California.
