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Dua Lipa is suing Samsung over a photograph that appeared on retail boxes for Samsung televisions in the United States. Samsung now asks a federal judge to dismiss the case, arguing the image represented programming available through its TVs—not an endorsement. The court’s decision on that request has not been reported.
What Dua Lipa says Samsung did
Lipa filed the complaint on May 8, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The defendants are Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
According to the complaint, Samsung used a photograph identified as “Dua Lipa – Backstage at Austin City Limits, 2024” on cardboard boxes containing Samsung televisions sold at retail in the United States. Lipa alleges that placing her image on product packaging made it appear that she endorsed the televisions.
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How Lipa says she discovered the packaging
The complaint says Lipa learned about the boxes in June 2025 after social-media users referred to a “Dua Lipa TV Box.” It reproduces consumer comments, including one from a person who said they would buy the television “just because Dua is on it.” The comments are evidence Lipa cites in her pleading; they are not independently verified sales figures or a court determination that the image caused purchases.
Why Samsung wants the lawsuit dismissed
In a motion filed September 10, 2026, Samsung argues that the image was part of the television’s on-screen interface and an example of content available through the device. Reporting on the motion quoted Samsung’s position as: “nothing suggesting plaintiff endorses the televisions.” Samsung asks the court to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety.
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Samsung has also said the image was used in 2025 to reflect content from third-party partners available through Samsung TV Plus, its free streaming service. In a public explanation reported by Yonhap in May 2026, Samsung said the image “was originally provided by a content partner” and that the partner gave “explicit assurance” that permission had been secured, including permission for retail boxes.
That defense presents two related arguments: Samsung characterizes the image as content connected to the television experience rather than advertising, and it says a partner represented that the necessary rights had been cleared.
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The central disputes in the case
| Issue | Lipa’s position | Samsung’s position | What is established publicly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the image | The packaging allegedly suggested an endorsement of Samsung televisions. | The image showed content available through the TV interface and did not suggest endorsement. | The parties characterize the image’s commercial meaning differently; the court has not resolved that dispute. |
| Permission and licensing | The complaint alleges unauthorized use of the photograph and Lipa’s identity. | A third-party content partner allegedly gave explicit assurance that permission covered the use, including retail boxes. | The available reports do not establish the full authorization chain or whether any license covered this packaging. |
| Legal claims | Copyright, trademark and right-of-publicity claims are asserted. | Samsung seeks dismissal of the action. | No merits ruling or damages finding has been reported. |
| Case status | Lipa seeks at least $15 million. | Samsung asks for dismissal in full. | The searched reports do not establish that the judge has ruled on the motion. |
What a motion to dismiss would decide
A motion to dismiss generally tests whether the complaint states legally viable claims based on the allegations accepted at that stage, rather than deciding every factual question after a trial. If the judge denies the motion, the case can move into further litigation, where the parties could seek records about the photograph, the packaging process, licensing agreements and Samsung’s communications with its content partner. If the judge grants it, some or all claims could end, although the court could also allow amended claims depending on its ruling.
Samsung’s filing therefore does not mean the company has won. The available reporting does not say that the case has been dismissed, and it does not establish whether the court accepts Samsung’s description of the image or its account of the partner’s permission.
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Did Dua Lipa endorse Samsung televisions?
Nothing in the available material establishes that Lipa endorsed Samsung TVs. Her lawsuit alleges that the box design created that impression without authorization. Samsung’s response is that the image represented third-party content and that there was “nothing suggesting plaintiff endorses the televisions.” Whether ordinary shoppers would read the packaging as an endorsement is one of the issues the litigation may have to address.
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What remains unresolved
- Whether the photograph’s copyright owner authorized the specific use on retail television boxes.
- Whether any permission obtained by Samsung’s content partner extended to Lipa’s name, likeness, trademarks or publicity rights.
- Whether the packaging legally functioned as advertising or merely identified content available through the television.
- Whether Lipa can prove the alleged infringement and establish damages of at least $15 million.
- Whether the court will allow the lawsuit to proceed after reviewing Samsung’s September 10 motion.
Key dates
- June 2025: The complaint says Lipa became aware of the “Dua Lipa TV Box” after social-media users pointed it out.
- May 8, 2026: Lipa filed the complaint in the Central District of California.
- September 10, 2026: Samsung filed the motion to dismiss, according to reporting on the filing.
For now, the dispute is about whether the image on Samsung’s boxes was unauthorized promotional use or a permitted depiction of content available through the company’s televisions. The public record described above does not resolve that question or the lawsuit’s outcome.
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