Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15m over unauthorised use of her face

Dua Lipa has initiated a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung, claiming that the tech giant used her image to promote their TVs without her consent or compensation.

As detailed in the complaint submitted on Friday, Samsung allegedly began featuring Lipa’s likeness on their TV packaging last year.

Upon discovering this, Lipa insisted the company cease using her image. The lawsuit claims the firm responded with indifference and ignored her demand.

“Ms. Lipa’s likeness was prominently displayed in a broad marketing campaign for a consumer product, without her consent, compensation, or any involvement whatsoever,” as stated in the lawsuit. “Ms. Lipa did not authorize and would not have agreed to this usage.”

The lawsuit claims that Samsung has gained from the false impression that Lipa endorsed the product, which she has not agreed to do.

According to the document, Lipa holds the copyright to the photograph, which was captured backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024.

The lawsuit references remarks on X, formerly recognized as Twitter, indicating that some consumers were influenced to buy Samsung TVs due to the supposed endorsement.

“I wasn’t planning on buying a TV, but when I saw the box, it convinced me to purchase it,” mentioned one user, as noted in the complaint.

“I'd buy that TV just because Dua Lipa is featured on it,” stated another. “That's my level of admiration for her.”

Another added that if you want to sell something, “Just feature Dua Lipa’s picture on it.”

The lawsuit claims that Lipa has developed a “high-end brand” and is “extremely selective” with product endorsements.

The legal complaint includes charges of copyright infringement, a breach of the California right of publicity law, a federal Lanham Act allegation, as well as trademark violations.

The case has been submitted in the Central District of California.