Samsung Denies ‘Intentional Misuse’ in Dua Lipa TV Box Image Dispute

Samsung blames content partner for Dua Lipa TV box image dispute, denies ‘intentional misuse’

May 13, 2026 By Mandy Dalugdug

Samsung Electronics has pushed back against Dua Lipa’s lawsuit over the unauthorized use of her image on TV packaging without her permission, saying a third-party “content partner” told the company it had obtained the necessary rights to use the photo.

The Levitating singer is seeking at least $15 million in damages in a lawsuit filed on Friday (May 8) in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Lipa’s lawyers allege that Samsung  used a copyrighted image of Lipa on the cardboard boxes of TVs it sold across the US.

In a statement to Billboard , Samsung said: “Ms. Lipa’s image was used in 2025 to reflect the content of our third-party partners that is available on Samsung TVs and was originally provided by a content partner for our free streaming service Samsung TV Plus.”

“The image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes. Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse.”

> “Ms. Lipa’s image was used in 2025 to reflect the content of our third-party partners that is available on Samsung TVs and was originally provided by a content partner for our free streaming service Samsung TV Plus.” Samsung Electronics (via billboard )

Samsung’s statement did not name the content partner.

Lipa says she owns the copyright to the photo, which is registered with the US Copyright Office under Copyright Registration No. VA 2-479-685. The image is titled “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024.”

Lipa sued Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its South Korean parent company Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., alleging that she discovered the unauthorized use of the image in June 2025 and immediately sent a cease-and-desist demand to Samsung.

However, her lawyers wrote in the complaint, which you can  read here : “Samsung has repeatedly refused to do so, and instead has continued to willfully, intentionally, and purposefully infringe on Ms. Lipa’s rights for its financial benefit, maintaining for sale the Infringing Products bearing the DL Image.”

Lipa’s lawyers added that the artist’s face was “prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever.”

> “The image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes. Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse.” Samsung Electronics (via billboard )

The lawsuit also described Samsung’s “infringing conduct” as “a mockery of [Lipa’s] hard work in establishing a successful brand,” adding that it has deprived her of the ability to control and monetize her assets.

In response, Samsung told Billboard that it has “great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists” and that it had “actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution with Ms. Lipa’s team.”

Lipa has held brand ambassador agreements with  Puma ,  YSL   Beauty ,  Bvlgari , and  Nespresso , among others. Her lawyers described her as “highly selective” in her commercial partnerships.

The lawsuit argues that Samsung has “profited, and continues to profit, immensely” from the image.

The claims include copyright infringement, vicarious copyright infringement, false endorsement, trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, and violation of California’s right of publicity statute. Lipa is seeking a permanent injunction, actual damages of at least $15 million, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.

In a case with echoes of Dua Lipa’s, Brazilian soccer legend Pelé   sued Samsung for $30 million in 2016, alleging the company used a lookalike of him in an advertisement. The sportsman’s lawsuit alleged that Samsung released the ad after breaking off talks in 2013 to use Pelé’s image to promote its products.

Pelé and Samsung engaged in settlement discussions in February 2018 and the case was dismissed in August 2018.

Music Business Worldwide

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Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15M over unauthorized use of her image on TV boxes

_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/samsung-blames-content-partner-for-dua-lipa-tv-box-image-dispute-denies-intentional-misuse/)._