Photo by Reuters

Samsung Electronics has pushed back against legal claims made by Dua Lipa over the alleged unauthorised use of her image on television packaging, insisting the company had secured permission through a third-party content provider before the photo appeared on products in the United States.

The dispute emerged after representatives for the British singer filed a lawsuit in California last week accusing Samsung of copyright infringement, trademark violations, and breaches of publicity rights laws. The legal action is seeking approximately A$23 million in damages.

At the centre of the case is a photograph of Dua Lipa that appeared on Samsung television packaging distributed in the US. Court documents claim the image was captured backstage during the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival and that ownership of the photograph belongs to the artist.

Samsung packaging featuring Dua Lipa (Image from Lipa's complaint filing)

Lipa’s legal team alleges Samsung used the image as part of a commercial advertising campaign without her knowledge or approval, creating the impression that she had endorsed the company’s products.

Samsung has strongly disputed those claims, stating the image was only used after the company confirmed usage rights through a content distribution partner. The company said it carried out checks before the packaging entered circulation in 2025.

Samsung also rejected allegations that it ignored requests to stop using the image. According to the company, it began discontinuing production of the packaging and replacing affected boxes shortly after concerns were raised by Lipa’s representatives in July last year.

The electronics giant said discussions between both parties continued following the complaint and that it remains interested in resolving the dispute without prolonged legal action.

The case highlights growing legal scrutiny surrounding celebrity image rights and commercial marketing, particularly as companies increasingly rely on licensed third-party content for advertising and packaging materials.