International pop sensation Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million (£11 million) lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, accusing the technology giant of using her image on television packaging in the United States without authorization.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Samsung used a photograph of the singer’s face prominently on packaging for several television models to commercially benefit from her popularity and public image.
The legal complaint includes allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and misappropriation of Lipa’s likeness and image. The case has quickly drawn attention within both the entertainment and technology industries, as it raises broader questions regarding celebrity image rights, licensing agreements, and commercial endorsements.
According to the court filing, Samsung allegedly used a photograph of Dua Lipa taken during her performance at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024 without obtaining permission from the singer or her representatives.
The lawsuit states that the packaging was “designed to improperly capitalize on Ms. Lipa's hard-earned success to promote and sell Samsung's products”.
Lipa’s legal team claims that the singer owns the copyright to the image used on the television boxes. The complaint argues that the company unlawfully reproduced and distributed the photograph for commercial purposes.
The filing further alleges that Samsung ignored “repeated demands” to “cease and desist from infringing on her rights”.
As of now, Samsung has not publicly responded to the allegations. A news agency reported that it contacted the company for comment.
The lawsuit states that Dua Lipa first became aware of the alleged unauthorized use of her image in June 2025.
Fans on social media reportedly began sharing images of the television packaging online and referring to it as the “Dua Lipa TV Box”.
The court filing also highlighted several Instagram comments from users reacting to the packaging. One user reportedly commented they would “get that TV just because Dua is on it,” while another wrote: “If you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it”.
According to the singer’s legal team, such reactions demonstrate the commercial value of her likeness and its potential influence on consumer purchasing decisions.
The lawsuit combines several legal claims, including copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and unauthorized commercial use of a celebrity’s image.
In the entertainment industry, celebrity likeness rights are highly valuable and often protected through licensing and endorsement agreements. Companies usually require formal permission before using a celebrity’s photograph, name, or image in advertising or packaging materials.
Legal experts note that unauthorized commercial usage of celebrity images can lead to significant financial and reputational consequences for brands, particularly when the celebrity has existing endorsement agreements with competing or premium companies.
Dua Lipa has become one of the most recognisable global pop stars in recent years, with multiple commercial collaborations across fashion, luxury, and lifestyle industries.
The lawsuit references her partnerships with globally recognised brands such as:
The singer has also collaborated with:
More recently, she became a global ambassador for Nespresso.
These high-profile endorsements reflect her strong commercial influence and explain why her legal team is treating the alleged misuse of her image as a serious violation of intellectual property and publicity rights.
Dua Lipa is one of the most successful and influential pop stars of the 2020s. Born in London to Kosovo Albanian parents, her career is defined by her distinct "dark pop" sound, husky low-register vocals, and a series of record-breaking hits.
Here is a breakdown of her career, impact, and recent activity as of May 2026:
While she gained fame with her self-titled debut and the hit "New Rules," it was her second album, Future Nostalgia, that catapulted her to superstital status.
The Sound: It revived "Nu-Disco" and 80s dance-pop, producing massive hits like "Don't Start Now," "Physical," and "Levitating."
The Impact: The album won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and became one of the most-streamed albums of all time.
The "Barbie" Connection: In 2023, she contributed the lead single "Dance the Night" to the Barbie soundtrack and made her film debut as "Mermaid Barbie."
In May 2024, she released her third studio album, Radical Optimism.
Musical Shift: Collaborating with artists like Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), she moved toward a "psychedelic pop" and "Britpop" inspired sound.
Key Tracks: Singles like "Houdini," "Training Season," and "Illusion" dominated global charts throughout 2024.
World Tour: Her 2025-2026 World Tour became one of the highest-grossing tours for a female soloist, known for its high-energy choreography and intricate stage design.
Dua Lipa is unique among her peers for her deep involvement in editorial curation.
Service95: She founded this global style, culture, and society concierge (newsletter and podcast). She has interviewed everyone from high-profile activists to legendary authors, positioning herself as a "cultural curator" rather than just a singer.
Acting: Beyond Barbie, she appeared in the 2024 spy thriller Argylle.
Fashion: She has co-designed a collection for Versace ("La Vacanza") and is a long-time global ambassador for brands like Yves Saint Laurent (YSL Beauty).
She is vocal about her heritage and political views.
Kosovo Citizenship: In 2022, she was granted Albanian citizenship for her role in promoting the country through her music and the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina.
Advocacy: She frequently uses her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, and humanitarian aid.
Apart from her commercial success, Dua Lipa continues to remain one of the leading figures in the global music industry.
Her latest album, Radical Optimism, released in 2024, received global attention and further strengthened her international fan base.
The singer is known for chart-topping hits, large-scale world tours, and strong influence across music, fashion, and digital culture.
The lawsuit reflects a broader trend where artists, actors, influencers, and athletes are becoming increasingly protective of their image rights and digital identity.
With global brands relying heavily on celebrity marketing and social media influence, legal disputes related to unauthorized endorsements, AI-generated likenesses, and intellectual property usage have become more common in recent years.
Industry experts believe such cases may shape future regulations around celebrity branding and digital content usage.
Dua Lipa’s $15 million lawsuit against Samsung has brought renewed attention to the growing importance of celebrity image rights and intellectual property protection in the digital and advertising era. The singer alleges that Samsung used her image on television packaging without authorization in an attempt to commercially benefit from her global popularity.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case could become a significant example of how global brands handle celebrity likeness, licensing agreements, and copyright compliance in marketing campaigns. With celebrities increasingly treating their image as a valuable business asset, disputes involving unauthorized commercial usage are likely to remain a major issue across the entertainment and corporate sectors.