Samsung Electronics has asked a California federal court to dismiss Dua Lipa’s $15 million lawsuit over the alleged unauthorized use of her photograph on Samsung television packaging.
Lipa filed the lawsuit in May 2026, accusing Samsung of using a copyrighted photograph of her on TV boxes sold across the United States without her permission. She argues that the use of her image could make consumers believe she had a commercial relationship with Samsung or had endorsed its televisions.
The photograph, titled “Dua Lipa - Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024,” was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits music festival and was later used as part of an image displayed on Samsung TV packaging. Lipa claims she owns the rights to the photograph and says Samsung benefited commercially from using her image without authorization.
Samsung is now asking the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to throw out the lawsuit. The company’s lawyers argue that Lipa cannot claim trademark protection over a photograph simply because it features her face.
According to Samsung, the image was used as part of a visual interface representing content available through Samsung’s TV Plus service. The company argues that the photograph was not presented as a logo, brand identifier or indication that Lipa had partnered with or endorsed Samsung.
Samsung has also pointed to previous legal cases involving the likenesses of famous figures, including Tiger Woods and Bob Marley, to support its argument that a celebrity’s appearance in a photograph does not automatically function as a trademark.
The company is also challenging Lipa’s right-of-publicity claims. Samsung argues that because Lipa is domiciled in the United Kingdom, California’s publicity laws should not apply to her claims. Its lawyers further argue that England does not recognize a standalone right of publicity comparable to the protections Lipa is attempting to use in California.
Another part of Samsung’s motion focuses on the companies named in the lawsuit. The case involves Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the South Korean parent company. Samsung argues that Lipa’s complaint does not clearly distinguish between the actions of the two companies or explain which entity was responsible for the specific conduct she alleges.
The defense describes the complaint as an improper “shotgun” pleading, arguing that multiple claims and defendants are grouped together without clearly identifying the conduct attributed to each company.
Samsung is not asking the court to decide at this stage that the entire dispute over the photograph has been resolved in its favor. Instead, the company is seeking to have Lipa’s claims dismissed before the case proceeds further.
The lawsuit itself includes allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement and violations of Lipa’s publicity rights. Lipa is seeking at least $15 million in damages and argues that Samsung used her image in a way that could create the impression of an official commercial relationship.
Samsung has previously maintained that the image came from a third-party content partner. The company said the partner had assured Samsung that the necessary rights had been obtained for the image’s use on the television packaging.
The court has not ruled on Samsung’s request for dismissal, meaning the company’s arguments remain legal claims that Lipa’s side can challenge. The case will continue to be decided by the federal court rather than by Samsung’s motion alone.
Judge Christina A. Snyder is scheduled to hear Samsung’s motion to dismiss on December 14, 2026. The hearing will be an important step in determining which parts of Lipa’s lawsuit, if any, can continue.
For now, the dispute remains centered on whether Samsung’s use of Lipa’s photograph created an unauthorized commercial association, whether her legal claims apply under California law and which Samsung entity, if any, can be held responsible for the alleged use.
