Samsung Asks Judge to Toss Dua Lipa's $15 Million Lawsuit Over Image on TV Packaging

Samsung has asked a California federal judge to dismiss Dua Lipa's lawsuit seeking at least $15 million (£11.15 million) over the use of her photograph on television packaging sold in the US.

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. filed the motion on 10 September in the US District Court for the Central District of California, arguing that Lipa's complaint fails to establish several of her legal claims.

Samsung Disputes Dua Lipa Image Claims

Lipa filed the lawsuit on 8 May 2026 under case number 2:26-cv-05019. Her complaint alleges that Samsung used her photograph on cardboard television boxes without permission or payment.

The singer brought eight causes of action, including copyright infringement, Lanham Act and common law trademark claims, and statutory and common law publicity-rights claims. She alleges that the image suggested she endorsed Samsung televisions.

Lipa's complaint said her '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.'

Samsung disputes that interpretation. Its lawyers argue that the photograph appeared within a rendering of the television's on-screen interface, rather than as a standalone celebrity endorsement.

The filing describes Lipa's image in the Samsung TV Plus music channel XITE HITS. It appeared alongside separate icons for ABC News Live, Fox Sports, The First 48 by A&E and Major League Baseball.

'An interface depicting a music-video channel among several unrelated content icons conveys nothing suggesting plaintiff endorses the televisions,' Samsung's lawyers wrote.

The motion added, 'The images merely depict the televisions' on-screen interface, illustrating the applications and an example of content available on the TV.'

That distinction is central to Samsung's motion. The company argues that Lipa's complaint fails to plead facts sufficient to support several claims, including its trademark and false-endorsement theories.

Samsung's lawyers also argue that Lipa cannot establish trademark protection in the photograph merely because it depicts her face. The filing says a person's image or likeness does not automatically function as a trademark or identify the source of particular goods.

However, Samsung's position is not the same as a judicial ruling that a celebrity can never bring a claim involving their likeness. The motion acknowledges that some courts have recognised a 'trademark-like interest' in a celebrity's identity in certain circumstances.

Samsung argues that Lipa has not shown that this particular photograph was consistently used as a source identifier for specific goods or services.

Motion Targets More Than Endorsement

The motion goes beyond the dispute over whether consumers might have viewed the image as an endorsement.

Samsung argues that Lipa has not pleaded sufficient facts to hold Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. vicariously liable for alleged conduct by Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Its lawyers say the complaint does not show that the South Korean company controlled the alleged infringement.

The company also challenges Lipa's direct copyright claim. According to the motion, she does not identify which Samsung entity allegedly reproduced or distributed the photograph.

Samsung further argues that Lipa's California publicity-rights claims should be governed by English law. The filing contends that the allegations in her complaint support the conclusion that she is domiciled in the United Kingdom, although the complaint itself describes her only as an individual residing outside the US.

The company argues that English law does not recognise a standalone right of publicity. That remains Samsung's legal argument for the court to consider, not an established finding in the case.

Samsung has also accused the complaint of being an impermissible 'shotgun' pleading. In practical terms, it says the lawsuit does not clearly distinguish between the alleged conduct of Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. It also objects to Lipa incorporating earlier allegations into each cause of action.

Samsung previously said the image came from a content partner. The company said it received 'explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes.'

'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 said.

Lipa's complaint alleges that she never authorised the use. It also describes Samsung's response to demands to stop using the photograph as 'dismissive and callous.'

The lawsuit cites two social-media comments as examples of consumers allegedly being influenced by the packaging. One user wrote, 'I wasn't even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it.' Another said, 'if you need anything selling just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it.'

Samsung calls those comments 'familiar, tongue-in-cheek social media hyperbole.' The company argues that neither comment shows consumers believed Lipa had approved, sponsored or partnered with Samsung.

The court has not ruled on the motion. A hearing is scheduled for 14 December 2026 before Judge Christina A. Snyder.

Lipa previously prevailed in a separate copyright case involving 'Levitating.' In March 2025, US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed claims that the song copied elements from earlier disco recordings. The judge found that the plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate substantial similarity and that some cited musical elements were not protectable.

The December hearing will determine whether the challenged claims survive Samsung's motion to dismiss.