Dua Lipa taking legal action against Samsung ‘for using her image’
By Jenny Garnsworthy, Press Association
Singer Dua Lipa is suing electronics giant Samsung for 15 million US dollars (£11 million) for allegedly using her image without permission, court documents show.
Lawyers for the Grammy award-winning star allege that the company used a picture of her on the packaging of some of its TVs without permission.
According to court documents filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, using her image “constitutes wilful copyright and trademark infringement, and a violation of Ms Lipa’s right of publicity”.
“Samsung has refused to comply with Ms Lipa’s repeated demands that it cease and desist from infringing on her rights,” the documents add.
Lipa, who is known for hits including Levitating and One Kiss, is described as a “hugely successful” star, who has “toured extensively and internationally, selling out stadiums across the globe”.
The court papers say that over the last decade she has “created one of the most successful and recognisable artist brands in the world”, listing collaborations with Chanel, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Porsche and Apple amongst others.
The image of Lipa used on the packaging is said to have been taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas, in 2024.
The court document reads: “Samsung exploited Ms Lipa’s carefully curated and extremely valuable brand identity to sell televisions, by using, without authorisation, Ms Lipa’s copyrighted image on the front of cardboard boxes offering Samsung televisions for sale.
“Ms Lipa’s face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever. Ms Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.
“Ms Lipa brings this action against Samsung for copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and violation of her right of publicity in order to obtain redress for the massive, continuing, unauthorised commercial exploitation of her valuable image and likeness by Samsung on cardboard television boxes.”
The Press Association has contacted Samsung for comment.