Pop star Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million, claiming the tech company plastered her face on TV packaging without permission. The lawsuit, filed this week in federal court, marks the latest high-profile clash between celebrities and major corporations over image rights in advertising.
The 30-year-old British singer launched the case in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on May 8 or 9. She alleges that Samsung used a copyrighted backstage photo from the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival to promote its Crystal UHD televisions. According to the suit, the image—showing Lipa’s face on a TV screen within the packaging design—appeared on cardboard boxes starting in early 2025. Furthermore, it has been distributed globally.
Lipa’s legal team argues that Samsung violated her copyright, her right of publicity, and falsely implied her endorsement of the products. The company allegedly ignored her repeated requests to remove the image. In addition, Samsung continued selling the boxes across the United States and internationally.
The lawsuit demands at least $15 million in damages, along with Samsung’s profits from the affected sales. It also asks for punitive damages, attorney fees, and a court order to permanently stop using her likeness.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between celebrities and brands as companies navigate intellectual property rights and endorsement laws. Lipa, a Grammy-winning artist behind chart-topping tracks like “Levitating,” is fighting to protect her personal brand from unauthorized commercial use.
Samsung has not yet responded to the allegations.
