British pop sensation Dua Lipa has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, seeking a minimum of $15 million in damages over the alleged unauthorized use of her image to promote the company’s television sets.
According to the lawsuit, Samsung allegedly used a copyrighted photograph of the singer on the front of cardboard TV packaging displayed in retail stores. The filing claims that the company benefited from what appeared to be Dua Lipa’s endorsement of the product without obtaining her permission.
The image at the center of the dispute is reportedly titled Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024. Court documents state that the singer owns all rights, title, and interest associated with the photograph. The lawsuit was filed on Friday in a federal court in California.
A spokesperson for Samsung Electronics declined to comment on the matter, stating that the company could not speak on ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, Dua Lipa’s legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the case.
Apart from allegations of copyright and trademark infringement, the singer has also accused Samsung of violating her publicity rights.
To support their claims, Dua Lipa’s lawyers included screenshots of social media posts and user comments in the filing. They argued that the use of her image on the TV boxes may have influenced consumer interest in the product. One comment attached to the complaint reportedly showed a fan saying they would buy the television “just because Dua is on it.”
The Levitating singer allegedly became aware of Samsung’s use of her image in June last year. Her legal team claims that she demanded the company stop using the photograph, but Samsung allegedly continued doing so despite repeated objections.
According to the lawsuit, Samsung’s “unauthorized use” of Dua Lipa’s image has “caused and continues to cause dilution” of the singer’s “brand identity and commercial goodwill by falsely conveying to the consuming public that she approves of and endorses” the products involved in the case.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. He holds CAVCO Personnel Number SINH0106. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
