British singer Dua Lipa has initiated legal action against Samsung Electronics, seeking a minimum of $15 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Samsung unlawfully utilized her image to promote their television sets without her consent. The legal filing asserts that Samsung featured a copyrighted image of the singer on the packaging of TV boxes sold in stores, implying her endorsement of the product. The image in question, titled “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024,” is owned entirely by Lipa. The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in California on Friday.
Samsung Electronics declined to provide a comment on the ongoing litigation. Lipa’s legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter. In addition to claims of copyright and trademark infringement, Lipa accuses Samsung of violating her publicity rights.
Lawyers representing Lipa included social media screenshots and comments in the legal documents, alleging that the singer’s image on the packaging influenced consumers’ purchasing decisions. One screenshot displayed a fan expressing intent to purchase the TV simply because Dua Lipa was featured on it.
The singer reportedly became aware of Samsung’s unauthorized use of her image in June of the previous year and requested Samsung to cease using her image. However, Samsung allegedly refused to comply with her demands. Lipa’s legal team argues that Samsung’s unauthorized use of her image has damaged her brand identity and commercial reputation. They claim that the misuse falsely suggests to the public that she supports and endorses the products in question.