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Samsung Fights Back Against Dua Lipa's $15M Legal Claim

The singer says Samsung used her image without permission in TV marketing. Samsung counters that the photo merely displays a screen interface and implies no endorsement deal, urging dismissal of the suit.

Yu-Ting Lin, Managing Editor
Samsung Fights Back Against Dua Lipa's $15M Legal Claim

A face on a TV packaging box has become the crux of this legal battle. Dua Lipa filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung this past May, accusing the company of using her photo on 2025 TV packaging to promote the Xite Hits channel—without ever paying her or obtaining her consent. The same packaging also featured logos for MLB, Fox Sports, and the crime series "The First 48."

In new filings submitted on September 10, Samsung's legal representatives asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. According to Rolling Stone, Samsung's lawyers argued there's no indication the singer would be perceived as an endorser: "The images merely depict what appears on the TV screen, showcasing sample apps and content the TV can play."

Samsung had earlier responded to the lawsuit, stating the photo was provided by a content partner supplying its free Samsung TV Plus streaming service, "used only after the partner explicitly guaranteed all necessary rights had been secured—including rights for use on sales packaging." Samsung also said it holds "deep respect" for Dua Lipa and values artists' intellectual property rights, adding it's willing to "pursue a constructive resolution" with her.

Dua Lipa's complaint alleges copyright infringement, violation of California's right of publicity statute, federal Lanham Act claims, and trademark-related allegations against Samsung. Her legal team stated in the filing that they had attempted to demand Samsung stop using the photo, only to be met with a "cold and callous" refusal. The complaint also cited several fan comments on X (formerly Twitter), with one user writing, "I would buy that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it." Another said, "I wasn't planning on buying a TV, but seeing that box made me decide to buy one."

As of now, Dua Lipa herself has not publicly responded to Samsung's latest claims.

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