Dua Lipa Blasts Samsung for Trying to End Her Lawsuit Over Use of Her Image on TV Boxes
Dua Lipa is asking a US court to let her lawsuit against Samsung proceed, alleging the company used her image on television packaging without permission. Her lawyers say consumers could reasonably interpret a celebrity’s face on a product as an endorsement, making the image commercially valuable.
Lipa’s May lawsuit says her photograph appeared on a significant portion of Samsung televisions sold in the United States during 2025 and 2026, despite cease-and-desist letters. Samsung says it used the image after a content partner assured it permission had been secured, and has sought dismissal, arguing consumers were not misled and that Lipa’s English residence affects her claim. Her lawyers argue California likeness law should apply and that English law also provides a remedy.
- Dua Lipa is seeking to continue her image-use lawsuit against Samsung.
- Her lawyers say TV packaging could suggest she endorsed the products.
- Samsung says a content partner assured it permission had been secured.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Lipa’s case is that a recognisable celebrity image on a television box can carry commercial value and lead consumers to infer endorsement, even without an explicit claim that she recommends the product. If her image was used at scale after she objected, allowing the claim to proceed would let a court assess whether her publicity rights were infringed and who was responsible for securing permission.
The case against
Samsung’s case is that it relied on assurances from a content partner that the photograph was cleared, and that displaying an image does not necessarily tell consumers the celebrity endorses the product. It can argue that the facts do not show consumer deception or a legally actionable use, and that Lipa’s residence in England raises questions about whether California law should govern; resolving those issues could prevent liability where permissions were reasonably believed to be in place.