TL;DR
- Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for copyright and trademark infringement.
- The lawsuit alleges that Samsung used her photos without permission.
- In the complaint, Samsung has been demanded to pay damages.
It’s been just a few months since Samsung was sued over its data collection practices, and the company seems to be in trouble again. Pop star Dua Lipa has filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung for allegedly using her likeness to sell its TVs.
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trial (via Diversity), which was filed in the District Court of California, alleges that Samsung used Dua Lipa’s photo “on the front of cardboard boxes containing Samsung-made televisions for retail sale.”
The lawsuit states that Lipa is a “hugely successful…singer, songwriter, performing artist and model” who owns “highly valuable copyrights, trademarks and publicity rights in her name, image and likeness.” The complaint claims that Samsung has infringed Lipa’s copyrights, trademarks and infringed her right of publicity.
It further states that Lipa contacted Samsung and demanded that the company stop using her image on its TV boxes. However, the company’s response was reportedly “disappointing and insensitive”.
The lawsuit alleges that Samsung profited from the false perception that it sponsored the company’s TVs. The photo in question is reportedly a backstage photo taken in Austin in 2024, and its copyright belongs solely to Lipa.
Furthermore, the complaint states that Samsung has “mocked their hard work in building a successful brand and deprived them of the ability to control and monetize their assets.”
The suit also cites several social media posts in which users said that Dua Lipa’s picture on the TV box was a significant factor in their decision to purchase. It further states that Lipa is very selective about its business partnerships and “will not agree to license its name, image or likeness in connection with the sale of infringing products.”
It is worth noting that Samsung has partnered with music artists in the past also. Therefore, the company’s oversight of using Dua Lipa’s image on its retail boxes without ensuring due diligence is quite surprising.
As relief, the lawsuit seeks multiple judgments, including a permanent injunction against Samsung Electronics from using Lipa’s likeness or infringing her copyright. It also demands damages of at least $15 million.
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