Pop star and Barbie actress Dua Lipa is suing Samsung Electronics for $15M, alleging the tech giant used her image to sell TV sets without permission.
The complaint, filed on Friday in the California federal court, alleges Samsung featured Lipa prominently on the side of cardboard boxes containing television sets sold across the U.S..
Allegations stretch from copyright infringement, trademark infringement and misappropriation of Lipa’s likeness and image.
The alleged image in question was taken backstage at a performance at the Austin City Limits musical festival, which Lipa’s lawyers say is owned entirely by their client. Using the pic is alleged to have enabled South Korea-based Samsung to boost sales through a seeming endorsement.
Lipa alleges she was completely unaware of her appearance on the boxes until June 2025. Her legal team pointed to two specific social media posts from her fans that noted they would purchase the sets thanks to her image on the box, and others dubbed the television the ‘Dua Lipa TV Box.’
Several reports noted Lipa’s legal team made a number of “cease and desist” demands to Samsung, which were allegedly ignored.
A rep for Samsung said the company would not be commenting due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Lipa is a Grammy-winning singer, whose hits include ‘Levitating’ and ‘Don’t Start Now.’ She has moved into acting over recent years, with a part as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie her most notable role. In March, we revealed she’d been cast in A24 comedy Peaked, which Molly Gordon is directing.
We’re reached out to Lipa’s lawyers for comment.
