• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

Grammy-winning musician Dua Lipa is suing Samsung Electronics for at least $15 million, alleging the company used her image without permission on television packaging.

The lawsuit accuses Samsung of copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violating Lipa’s right to publicity.

“According to the complaint, Samsung used a copyrighted backstage image of Lipa on cardboard boxes for televisions sold in 2025 and 2026 without authorization or compensation,” according to USA Today. “The filing alleges the packaging falsely implied the singer endorsed Samsung products and influenced consumer purchases, citing social media posts from fans who said Lipa’s appearance on the box motivated them to buy the TVs.”

Lipa learned about the alleged infringement in June 2025 and demanded Samsung stop using the image. The complaint claims the company refused.

The image was taken during the singer's 2024 Austin City Limits Festival performance and Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph, according to the lawsuit. 

Fans on social media have posted about it, describing it as the "Dua Lipa TV Box.”

“Lipa’s complaint points to apparent screenshots of X posts as evidence that her image helped Samsung sell TVs,” according to Ars Technica. “One comment, according to the complaint, says, ‘I wasn’t even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it[.]’ Another X user reportedly said, ‘get that tv just because Dua is on it.’”

Samsung denied the allegations, telling the BBC the image was provided by a third party and "used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured.” 

Retailers, including Walmart, are selling Samsung TVs with the image, notes Ars Technica. 

Dua Lipa has her share of sympathizers, and it's not just fans. 

"I’m hardly feeling sorry for Lipa, who had already amassed an estimated fortune of over $100 million before the age of 30," according to Digital Camera World. "But, as a photographer, I certainly do care about the law of copyright and how vital it is to uphold – especially in a case involving someone as influential as a world-famous pop star. The way I see it, if Dua Lipa of all people can be crushed in civil court by a large company that apparently not only stole her image, but used it to make profit, then there’s no hope for any of us photographers safeguarding our work."