Dua Lipa has started a major legal battle over the alleged unauthorized use of his photo and image. The global pop star is seeking $15 million in damages from Samsung Electronics in the lawsuit. According to the complaint, the company used his image on television packaging without obtaining his approval or paying compensation.. Intended use Photo of Dua Lipa on TV packagingThe case was reported by Variety and the lawsuit alleges that the popular brand began placing a photo of Dua Lipa on the cardboard boxes of its televisions last year. The image was allegedly used as part of a broad marketing campaign for consumer electronics products. After discovering the use of his likeness, the singer asked the company to stop immediately. The complaint says the brand responded in a “dismissive and disingenuous” manner and refused to remove the image.What does Dua Lipa’s complaint say?As reported, the lawsuit states: “Ms. Lipa’s face was used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, consideration, and she had no say, control, or input. Ms. Lipa did not authorize and would not have consented to such use.”According to the filing, Samsung believed Dua Lipa was endorsing televisions. The complaint states that there was no such endorsement and that the singer did not participate in the campaign.Copyright ownership and online reactions to the Dua Lipa incidentThe legal filing states that Dua Lipa owns the copyright to the photo used in the campaign. The photo was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2024.It has created a wide debate online. One wrote: “15M damage is ridiculous. I’d love to see the math on how they get to that figure.” Another wrote: “That’s literally a Google TV screenshot. Samsung won’t pay a dime. Maybe they should sue Google TV.”Another wrote: “I visited many homes with TVs and never saw anyone showing off the box their TV came in. And yet, the claim is that the decision to purchase television sets based on Ms. Lipa being depicted on the box has caused harm here. Weird.”The complaint alleges that Dua Lipa has built a “premium brand” and is “extremely selective” when it comes to choosing endorsement partners. The lawsuit includes claims of copyright infringement, infringement of California’s right of publicity, federal claims under the Lanham Act, and trademark infringement. The case has been filed in the Central District of California and further updates are pending.
