Dua Lipa sues Samsung over unauthorized use of her image on TV packaging
Consensus Summary
Dua Lipa has sued Samsung Electronics in California federal court, seeking at least $15 million in damages for allegedly using her copyrighted image on TV packaging without permission. The lawsuit, filed on May 10, 2026, claims Samsung featured a photo of Lipa titled 'Dua Lipa — Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024' on cardboard boxes for televisions sold in the US. Lipa first demanded Samsung stop using the image in June 2025, but the company refused. The lawsuit alleges copyright violation, breach of publicity rights, and trademark infringement, citing social media comments from fans who said they purchased TVs because of her image. Both sources confirm Samsung has not responded to requests for comment, and Lipa’s lawyers did not immediately reply. The dispute centers on Samsung’s alleged unauthorized use of her likeness for commercial gain, which Lipa argues dilutes her brand and deprives her of control over her image.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dua Lipa filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics in California federal court on May 10, 2026, seeking at least $15 million in damages
- The lawsuit alleges Samsung used a copyrighted image of Dua Lipa titled 'Dua Lipa — Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024' on TV packaging boxes
- Lipa claims Samsung began using her image on TV packaging for a 'significant portion' of its US TV sales in 2025
- Lipa first demanded Samsung stop using her image in June 2025, but the company repeatedly refused
- The lawsuit includes social media comments from fans attributing purchasing decisions to Dua Lipa’s image on the boxes, such as 'I’d get that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it'
- Lipa alleges copyright violation, breach of California right of publicity, federal Lanham Act claims, and trademark infringement
- Samsung’s spokesperson declined to comment on pending litigation, and Dua Lipa’s lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The lawsuit was filed on Friday in the California federal court (exact date not repeated in Guardian)
- Lipa’s lawyers attached screenshots of social media postings and comments in the filing, including one fan saying 'I wasn’t even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it'
- The Guardian article does not mention the specific comment about 'If you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it'
- ABC specifies the lawsuit alleges Samsung’s use 'caused and continues to cause dilution' of Lipa’s 'brand identity and commercial goodwill'
- The Guardian explicitly states Samsung used the image on 'an image of a TV screen printed on its cardboard packaging'
- The Guardian includes the quote 'That’s how obsessed I am. That’s how much I love her' from a fan comment, which is not repeated in ABC
- The Guardian emphasizes Lipa’s 'highly selective' endorsement history with brands like Apple, Porsche, Versace, Bulgari, and Nespresso
- The Guardian notes Samsung was described as 'dismissive and callous' in the lawsuit, a phrasing not repeated in ABC
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Samsung used the image on 'a significant portion' of its TVs sold in the US last year, while ABC does not specify the exact proportion or timeframe beyond 'a significant portion'
- ABC mentions the lawsuit was filed on Friday, May 10, 2026, but the Guardian does not explicitly state the exact filing date, only that it was filed on Friday
Source Articles
Dua Lipa sues Samsung for using her face to sell TVs
The lawsuit alleges Samsung featured a copyrighted image of the pop star on the front of cardboard boxes containing televisions for sale.
Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15m over use of her image on TV boxes
British singer claims electronics company ‘repeatedly refused’ to stop using a photo of her on its packaging Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for at least $15m (£11m, A$20.6m), alleging that the electronics company used a photo of her to sell its TVs without financially compensating her or seeking her permission. According to the legal complaint , filed in the US district court in California on Friday, Samsung began using an image of Lipa on an image of a TV screen printed on its cardboard packaging fo