Dua Lipa files 15 million dollar lawsuit against major electronic brand for using her picture to sell TVs

Dua Lipa (Pic/X)

Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has taken legal stand against the use of her personality and likeness without her consent for selling goods in USA. The singer has filed a 15 million dollar lawsuit against an appliance brand. She has alleged that the electronics manufacturer used her likeness to sell TVs without paying her and without permission, reports Variety. According to the complaint, Samsung began using Lipa's image on the cardboard packaging of its TVs last year.

Dua Lipa sues Samsung

When Dua got to know of the company using her image for sales, she demanded that they stop using her image. The suit alleges that the company was "dismissive and callous" and refused the request.

The lawsuit states, "Ms. Lipa's 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. Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use".

As per Variety, the suit alleges that Samsung has profited from the appearance that Lipa has endorsed the product, which she has not.

Customers fooled into thinking Dua Lipa endorses the brand

The complaint states that Dua Lipa owns the copyright to the photograph, which was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024. The lawsuit also hinted at defrauding customers by making them believe that Lipa endorses the brand. The lawsuit quotes comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, suggesting that at least some customers were moved to purchase Samsung TVs by the apparent endorsement.

An Internet user wrote, "I wasn't even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it".

Another wrote, "I'd get that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it. That's how obsessed I am. That's how much I love her".

The lawsuit states that the singer has cultivated a "premium brand" and is "highly selective" in making product endorsements.

The complaint alleges a copyright violation, a violation of the California right of publicity statute, a federal Lanham Act claim, and trademark claims. The suit was filed in the Central District of California.

(with inputs from IANS)