Issue No. 066 · Story 02 · October 19, 2026

Dua Lipa Pushes Back on Samsung's TV-Box Defense

Dua Lipa asked a Los Angeles federal judge to reject Samsung's motion to dismiss claims over her photograph on television packaging. In an October 15 opposition, she argues that the image could suggest an endorsement and that California law protects against its alleged commercial use without consent. Samsung maintains that the packaging depicted available entertainment content rather than a paid partnership. The dismissal motion remains pending.

§Lipa argues that her established brand partnerships and the photograph's prominence support a plausible false-endorsement claim. She cites alleged consumer comments linking their interest in buying a television to her appearance on the box.
§Samsung seeks application of English law to the publicity claims based on Lipa's alleged domicile. She disputes that premise and argues that California's interest in products marketed and sold within the state supports applying California law.
§The opposition also defends claims against Samsung's Korean parent, alleging involvement in manufacturing, distribution and decisions to continue sales. The filing is Lipa's response to the dismissal request, not a decision that Samsung violated her rights.

THE TAKEAWAY

A photograph used to illustrate a product's content can also raise a separate question about implied celebrity approval. This filing distinguishes that false-endorsement issue from publicity and copyright claims arising from the same packaging.

Filing: ESCA Filings

Same issue

Drake Faces Copyright Suit Over Janice STFU Chorus

Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield sued Drake, OVO Sound and two Universal Music entities in Los Angeles federal court on October 16, alleging that Janice STFU copied the chorus of a demo he sent to producers working with Drake. Hirschfield claims the released track reproduces his lyrics, melody and cadence without credit or compensation. Drake's representatives deny the allegations and say he wrote the song. The complaint seeks damages and profits attributable to the alleged infringement.