Samsung Requests Dismissal of Dua Lipa's $15 Million USD Image Lawsuit
The tech giant argues that a celebrity cannot claim trademark rights over every photograph of their likeness.
Summary
Samsung has asked a California federal judge to dismiss Dua Lipa's $15 million USD lawsuit over her photo appearing on TV packaging
Legal counsel for the company contends that a celebrity's face does not serve as a trademark or brand endorsement indicator
Judge Christina A. Snyder is scheduled to hear Samsung's motion to dismiss the lawsuit on December 14, 2026
Samsung Electronics has officially filed a motion to dismiss Dua Lipa‘s $15 million USD lawsuit regarding the unauthorized use of her photograph on television packaging. The filing submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California argues that the pop star cannot assert trademark rights over her own face.
The legal dispute stems from a registered 2024 Austin City Limits backstage photograph displaying Lipa within a mock-up screen interface on Samsung retail boxes. Lipa claims the packaging falsely implies a commercial partnership and product endorsement. In response, Samsung argues that the image serves merely as a background graphic for a music video channel interface rather than a source-identifying trademark, referencing legal precedent involving Tiger Woods and Bob Marley.
Samsung further challenges the lawsuit’s right-of-publicity claims, arguing that Lipa’s United Kingdom domicile renders California publicity laws inapplicable. Additionally, defense lawyers contend the complaint improperly conflates South Korean parent company Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. with its American subsidiary without identifying specific corporate liability.
Judge Christina A. Snyder will hear the motion to dismiss on December 14, 2026.
