Brands
Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15 million over alleged TV box image use
Singer claims tech giant used her photo on TV packaging without consent
LOS ANGELES: Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung, alleging the tech giant used her image on television packaging without permission, according to court filings submitted in California on May 8.
The case, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, centres on Samsung’s 2025 Samsung Crystal UHD TVs. The singer’s legal team claims her photograph was prominently displayed on the cardboard packaging of the televisions, creating the impression that she endorsed the product.
According to the lawsuit, the image was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival and was used on a mock television screen promoting the “Xite Hits” channel available through Samsung TV Plus.
The filing alleges that Dua Lipa owns the copyright to the image and that Samsung used it without consent, compensation, or licensing approval. Her legal team has accused the company of false endorsement, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and violation of publicity rights under California law.
The lawsuit further argues that the singer is selective about commercial partnerships, pointing to previous collaborations with brands such as Porsche and Chanel, and would not have approved the alleged use of her likeness.
According to the complaint, Dua Lipa’s team first raised objections in June 2025 and repeatedly asked Samsung to stop distributing the packaging. The filing claims the company responded in a “dismissive and callous” manner and continued shipping the boxes despite the warnings.
The suit also cites social media posts from consumers who allegedly purchased, or considered purchasing, the televisions because of the singer’s image on the packaging, using them as evidence of public confusion around endorsement.
Samsung has not publicly commented on the litigation. The case is expected to draw significant attention as celebrity image rights and brand usage battles increasingly move beyond advertising and into retail packaging and digital commerce.
