Dua Lipa has filed a federal lawsuit against Samsung, accusing the electronics giant of misusing a copyrighted backstage photo of the pop star on retail packaging for its 2025 TV models without permission or compensation.
According to the complaint filed May 8 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:26-cv-05019), the 30-year-old Grammy winner is seeking at least $15 million in damages, plus Samsung’s profits from the sales of the affected televisions, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and a permanent injunction halting further use of the image.
The suit centers on a photograph titled “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024,” which Lipa owns the copyright to. The image, taken before her performance at the festival, was allegedly placed prominently on cardboard boxes for Crystal UHD models, including the U8000FD, as part of a nationwide retail campaign.
Lipa’s team first learned of the usage around June 2025 when fans began sharing photos of the “Dua Lipa TV Boxes” on social media. The complaint states that Samsung received multiple cease-and-desist demands from her representatives but continued distributing the packaging.
“Samsung’s response has been dismissive and callous,” the filing alleges, adding that the products “remain on the market to this day.”
The lawsuit includes several direct claims from the complaint highlighting the lack of consent. One section states that Lipa’s image was used “for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever.” It further emphasizes, “Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.”
Attorneys argue the placement created a false impression of endorsement, with social media evidence showing real consumer confusion. The filing cites posts such as one fan writing they “wasn’t even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it,” and another declaring, “I’ve always said if you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it.”
The complaint also contends that Samsung intentionally capitalized on Lipa’s global appeal, stating: “Samsung’s infringing conduct — using Ms. Lipa’s assets for zero consideration — makes a mockery of her hard work in establishing a successful brand.”
Lipa, known for her selective brand partnerships with luxury names including Versace, Porsche, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., YSL Beauty and Puma — in addition to her role as a global ambassador for the 2026 Winter Olympics — argues the association harms her premium image.
As of May 11, Samsung had not issued a public response to the allegations.
The case, still in its earliest stages, highlights the complexities of celebrity image rights and clearance issues in large-scale consumer marketing campaigns. The full complaint is available publicly via CourtListener.
