Samsung has a new legal headache, and this one involves Dua Lipa’s face on TV boxes. The pop star has sued Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Electronics Co. in California federal court. It is accusing the company of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and violating her right to publicity. The complaint claims Samsung is using a copyrighted image of Lipa on cardboard boxes for its televisions without authorization.
Why is Samsung getting sued?
In the complaint, the company allegedly “prominently featured” a copyrighted image of Dua Lipa on the front of cardboard boxes containing Samsung TVs sold across the US. The filing says the image appeared on boxes for Samsung televisions in various sizes, and an example in the complaint shows a Samsung Crystal UHD TV box with Lipa’s image displayed on the screen graphic.
The lawsuit says that Lipa is the sole owner of the copyright in the image, listed in the complaint under Copyright Registration No. VA 2-479-685. It also argues that Samsung’s use of the image could create a false impression that Lipa endorsed, approved, or was associated with the company’s TVs.
The lawsuit is asking for big money
This isn’t just a takedown request. The complaint asks for damages of no less than $15 million, plus Samsung’s profits tied to the alleged unauthorized use of the image. Lipa is also seeking punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and an injunction to stop Samsung from continuing to use the image.
The filing alleges Samsung continued selling the products after Lipa became aware of the issue around June 2025 and demanded that the company stop. The complaint says Samsung “repeatedly refused” those demands and continued selling the allegedly infringing products. The singer’s lawyers argue that her name, image, and likeness carry major commercial value because of her music career, global recognition, and brand deals with companies like Puma, Versace, YSL Beauty, Porsche, Apple, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, and Nespresso. So, Samsung should have secured permission and paid for it. This news arrives just a couple of days after another lawsuit that aims to block all Samsung foldables sales in the US.
Read the full article here
