TBM Report
Grammy-winning pop star Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million lawsuit against technology giant Samsung for allegedly using her image on television packaging without authorization. The legal action, filed last Friday (May 8, 2026) in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, accuses Samsung of exploiting the artist’s global fame to drive product sales. According to the complaint, the image—taken backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival—was prominently displayed on various TV boxes across the globe.
Legal representatives for the 30-year-old singer-songwriter asserted that Samsung’s actions constitute willful copyright and trademark infringement. The lawsuit highlights that Lipa holds the sole ownership rights to the photograph in question. Despite multiple “Cease and Desist” notices sent by her legal team, Samsung reportedly failed to remove the imagery or compensate the artist, leading to this high-stakes litigation.
A unique element of the filing includes evidence from social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The lawsuit cites consumer comments indicating that Lipa’s presence on the packaging was a decisive factor in their purchase. One consumer noted they bought the television purely because of the pop star’s image on the box. This serves as a “prima facie” case that Samsung directly profited from Lipa’s “Right of Publicity” without a commercial agreement.
Dua Lipa, who currently serves as a global ambassador for luxury brands like Versace and Nespresso, maintains strict control over her commercial endorsements. Her legal team argues that Samsung’s unauthorized use devalues her current brand partnerships and sets a dangerous precedent for artist rights. While Samsung has yet to release an official statement, the outcome of this case could significantly impact how corporations utilize celebrity likenesses in international marketing.
 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, accuses Samsung of exploiting the artist's global fame to drive product sales. According to the complaint, the image—taken backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival—was prominently displayed on various TV boxes across the globe.){kind=link}