Dua Lipa's Image Rights Battle With Samsung

Dua Lipa is engaged in a legal dispute with Samsung Electronics America and its parent company over the use of her image on television packaging. Lipa alleges that Samsung used a photo of her backstage at a festival on TV boxes sold in the U.S. without obtaining permission, creating a false impression of endorsement.

Samsung, however, is seeking to dismiss the $15 million lawsuit. The company's attorneys contend that fame alone does not grant trademark protection to every photograph of a celebrity, citing precedents involving Tiger Woods and Bob Marley. They argue Lipa's image on the packaging was part of a mock television interface, not an endorsement.

Furthermore, Samsung challenges the legal basis of Lipa's claims, questioning the jurisdiction for publicity rights due to her U.K. domicile and arguing that the complaint fails to specify the roles of each Samsung entity. A hearing on Samsung's motion to dismiss is scheduled for December 14.