British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics seeking at least $15 million in damages, accusing the South Korean technology company of using her image without permission on television packaging sold in the United States.
The lawsuit was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
According to the filing, Samsung allegedly used a copyrighted photograph titled “Dua Lipa - Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024” on cardboard boxes containing television sets for retail sale.
Lipa claims she owns all rights and interests connected to the image and alleges the company benefited from the appearance of her endorsement.
The lawsuit includes allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violations of publicity rights tied to the singer’s likeness and image.
Lipa’s legal team argued that Samsung’s packaging was “designed to improperly capitalize on Ms. Lipa's hard-earned success to promote and sell Samsung's products”.
The filing included screenshots of social media posts and comments from consumers reacting to the packaging.
One comment cited in the lawsuit said a customer would purchase the television “just because Dua is on it.”
Another comment stated: “If you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it”.
Samsung declined to comment on the allegations, citing pending litigation.
According to the lawsuit, Lipa first became aware of the alleged use of her image in June last year and demanded Samsung stop using it.
Her lawyers said Samsung repeatedly refused to comply with requests to cease the alleged infringement.
The filing argued the company’s actions “caused and continues to cause dilution” of the singer’s brand identity and commercial goodwill.
Lipa’s legal team also referenced her existing commercial partnerships with companies including Puma, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Apple, Porsche, Chanel and Nespresso.
Her most recent album, Radical Optimism, was released in 2024.