British singer Dua Lipa has initiated legal action against Samsung Electronics, asking a federal court in California to award her no less than $15 million in damages over what her filing describes as the unauthorised commercial use of her image.
The suit claims Samsung printed a copyrighted photograph of the performer on the fronts of cardboard boxes used to ship televisions for retail sale, a placement that the filing says allowed the electronics company to reap the benefits of what appeared to consumers to be an endorsement. The image at the center of the complaint is identified as "Dua Lipa - Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024," and the complaint states that Lipa holds all rights, title and interest in that photograph.
Filed on Friday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the complaint advances multiple causes of action. In addition to allegations of copyright and trademark infringement, the filing asserts that Samsung breached Lipa's publicity rights by using her image in a manner that conveys approval or endorsement of the televisions.
As part of the evidence, Lipa's lawyers included screenshots taken from social media posts and comments they say demonstrate the image's commercial effect. One screenshot is cited in the filing showing a fan remarking they would purchase the television "just because Dua is on it." The filing contends these reactions show the image encouraged purchases and thereby supplied a commercial benefit to Samsung.
The complaint also recounts the pop star's prior efforts to stop the alleged use. According to the filing, Lipa first became aware of Samsung's purported use of her photograph in June of last year and asked the company to cease the practice. Her lawyers allege that Samsung repeatedly refused those demands.
Her legal team argues the alleged unauthorised usage has "caused and continues to cause dilution" of Lipa's brand identity and commercial goodwill, saying the packaging falsely conveys to the public that she endorses or approves of the products.
A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics declined to comment, stating the company was unable to discuss pending litigation. Lipa's lawyers did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the case, the filing notes.
The article's reporting also references how a retail-focused analytics tool evaluates the Samsung ticker 005930. That tool reportedly reviews thousands of companies across many financial metrics and highlights examples of past stock winners it has identified. The filing and the surrounding reporting do not change the legal record; they describe the claims Lipa has presented to the court and the responses noted above.
Context note: The complaint focuses on the alleged unauthorised reproduction of a specific copyrighted image, the timing of Lipa's awareness and her attempts to stop the use, screenshots of social media reaction cited by her legal team, and Samsung's stated inability to comment due to pending litigation.