Samsung has claimed it was given “explicit assurance” to use an image of Dua Lipa in its promo materials, days after the pop star sued the tech giant for allegedly using her likeness without permission.
The legal battle kicked off earlier this week, when Dua Lipa filed a lawsuit seeking $15 million in damages and accusing Samsung of using a copyrighted photo of her on the box of one of its TVs to benefit from what seemed like her endorsement of the product.
The lawsuit claimed Dua Lipa is the owner of the title, interests and rights to the image, and that it was used without permission and despite her previous attempts to stop the company from allegedly misappropriating her likeness.
While Samsung had initially declined to comment, it has since issued a statement denying the allegations in the lawsuit, including copyright infringement and trademark infringement.
Countering the accusation of using the photo without consent, Samsung claimed “the image was used only after receiving explicit assurance from the content partner that permission had been secured, including for the retail boxes”.
“Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse,” the statement added, per Deadline.
Samsung’s statement also claimed the image of Dua Lipa was used “to reflect the content of our third-party partners” that is available on the TVs she featured on, and said it has “great respect” for the singer.
“Samsung has great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists. We have actively sought and remain open to a constructive resolution with Ms. Lipa’s team,” the statement read.
In the lawsuit, Dua Lipa’s team attached screenshots of social media posts by fans who were allegedly persuaded to purchase the TV because of her, including a comment saying they would get the product “just because Dua is on it”.
It also claimed Dua Lipa became aware of the promotional image last June, and that Samsung “repeatedly refused” to stop running the TV boxes despite her team’s demands.
The $15 million figure was put down to Samsung’s alleged “dilution” of Dua Lipa’s “brand identity and commercial goodwill” by implying she “approves of and endorses” the TV, the lawsuit claimed.
Dua Lipa confirmed her engagement to actor Callum Turner last year, and is set to star opposite Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie in an upcoming movie titled Peaked.
Lead images: Getty Images and X
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