Litigation Initiated by Dua Lipa Against Samsung Electronics Regarding Unauthorized Image Utilization

Dua Lipa 就未經授權使用影像對三星電子提起訴訟

May 10, 2026, 21:47
GlobalEntertainment

Introduction

Dua Lipa has filed a legal action against Samsung Electronics seeking $15 million in damages following the alleged unauthorized use of her likeness in a global marketing campaign.

Dua Lipa 因三星電子在全球行銷活動中涉嫌未經授權使用其肖像，已對三星電子提起訴訟，請求 1,500 萬美元的損害賠償。

Main Body

The legal proceedings, initiated in the US District Court for the Central District of California, center on the utilization of a photograph captured backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival. The plaintiff asserts sole copyright ownership of the image and contends that Samsung incorporated her likeness onto television packaging and marketing materials commencing in early 2025 without prior notification, consent, or financial remuneration.

此法律程序始於美國加州中區聯邦地區法院，核心在於一張於 2024 年 Austin City Limits 音樂祭後台拍攝的照片。原告聲稱擁有該影像的唯一版權，並主張三星自 2025 年初起將其肖像應用於電視包裝及行銷素材，且事先未經通知、同意或支付報酬。

From a strategic positioning perspective, the plaintiff's legal counsel emphasizes the meticulous curation of her 'premium brand' and the high degree of selectivity applied to commercial endorsements. The complaint alleges that the unauthorized deployment of the image created a false impression of institutional endorsement. To substantiate this claim, the filing incorporates social media testimonials from consumers who indicated that the perceived association with the artist influenced their purchasing decisions.

從戰略定位角度來看，原告的法律顧問強調其對「高端品牌」的細膩經營，以及對商業代言的高度篩選。訴狀指稱，未經授權使用該影像造成了機構代言的假象。為了證明此主張，文件中納入了消費者的社交媒體證詞，指出他們因感知到該品牌與藝人的關聯而影響了購買決定。

Furthermore, the litigation cites multiple statutory violations, including copyright and trademark infringement, breaches of California's right of publicity laws, and violations of the federal Lanham Act. The plaintiff further alleges that Samsung maintained a dismissive posture when requested to cease the use of the imagery. This action follows a prior legal victory for the artist regarding copyright disputes over the composition of the track 'Levitating,' wherein a judicial determination found that the contested elements lacked sufficient originality for protection.

此外，該訴訟引用了多項法定違規行為，包括侵犯版權與商標、違反加州肖像權法以及違反聯邦《蘭哈姆法》（Lanham Act）。原告進一步指稱，在要求停止使用影像時，三星採取了輕視且不予理會的態度。在此次行動之前，該藝人曾在關於歌曲《Levitating》作曲的版權爭議中獲得法律勝利，當時法院裁定爭議元素缺乏足夠的原創性而無法獲得保護。

Conclusion

The matter currently awaits a judicial response, with the plaintiff seeking $15 million and the disgorgement of profits derived from the alleged infringement.

目前正等待司法裁決，原告請求 1,500 萬美元的賠償，以及追回因涉嫌侵權而獲得的利潤。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization: Elevating B2 Verbs to C2 Legalism

To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must transition from process-oriented language (verbs) to concept-oriented language (nouns). The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization, where actions are transformed into abstract entities to create an air of objectivity and institutional authority.

◤ The Morphological Shift ◢

Observe how the text avoids the 'storytelling' mode of B2 English in favor of 'statutory' precision:

B2 approach (Action/Verb)C2 Mastery (Nominalization)Linguistic Effect
Samsung used the image without permission.The unauthorized utilization of her likeness.Shifts focus from the agent (Samsung) to the transgression itself.
They did not pay her.Without financial remuneration.Replaces a common transaction with a formal economic concept.
Samsung didn't care when she asked them to stop.Samsung maintained a dismissive posture.Converts an emotion into a strategic state of being.
The judge decided that...A judicial determination found...

◤ Dissecting 'The Disgorgement of Profits' ◢

At the C2 level, vocabulary is not just about 'rare words' but about domain-specific precision. The term disgorgement is an exemplary C2 pivot. While a B2 student might say "forcing the company to give back the money they made," the professional educator identifies disgorgement as the precise legal mechanism of stripping a party of ill-gotten gains.

◤ Syntactic Sophistication: The 'Noun Phrase' Stack ◢

C2 proficiency is marked by the ability to sustain long, complex noun phrases without losing grammatical coherence. Analyze this structure:

"...the meticulous curation of her 'premium brand' and the high degree of selectivity applied to commercial endorsements."

Analysis: This is not a sentence about what she does (verb), but a description of what exists (noun). By stacking adjectives (meticulous, high degree) against complex nouns (curation, selectivity), the writer establishes a tone of clinical detachment. This is the hallmark of academic and legal English: the erasure of the subject to emphasize the phenomenon.

Vocabulary Learning

litigation (n.)
A legal dispute or lawsuit.
Example:The litigation between the two corporations dragged on for years.
initiated (v.)
To start or set in motion.
Example:The court initiated the proceedings after the complaint was filed.
unauthorized (adj.)
Not having official permission.
Example:The company used the image in an unauthorized advertising campaign.
utilization (n.)
The act of using something.
Example:The study highlighted the utilization of social media for marketing.
proceedings (n.)
A series of formal legal actions.
Example:The proceedings were delayed due to procedural errors.
asserts (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently.
Example:The plaintiff asserts that she owns the copyright.
sole (adj.)
Only; exclusive.
Example:He has the sole authority to make decisions.
contends (v.)
To argue or maintain a position.
Example:She contends that the evidence is insufficient.
incorporated (v.)
Included or merged into something.
Example:The new policy incorporated several best practices.
meticulous (adj.)
Showing great attention to detail.
Example:Her meticulous research left no gaps.
curation (n.)
The careful selection and organization of items.
Example:The museum's curation of artifacts attracted many visitors.
premium (adj.)
Of higher quality or value.
Example:The premium brand commands a higher price.
selectivity (n.)
The quality of being selective.
Example:The company's selectivity in hiring ensures top talent.
deployment (n.)
The act of putting into use.
Example:The deployment of new software improved efficiency.
institutional (adj.)
Relating to an institution.
Example:Institutional investors often hold large portfolios.
substantiate (v.)
To provide evidence that supports a claim.
Example:He attempted to substantiate his allegations with documents.
testimonials (n.)
Statements endorsing a product or service.
Example:The website featured glowing testimonials from users.
perceived (adj.)
Recognized or understood by someone.
Example:The perceived quality of the product increased after the redesign.
association (n.)
A connection or relationship between two things.
Example:The association between smoking and cancer is well documented.
purchasing (n.)
The act of buying goods or services.
Example:Her purchasing decisions were influenced by the review.
statutory (adj.)
Relating to statutes or laws.
Example:Statutory guidelines govern the company's operations.
breaches (n.)
Violations or infringements of a rule.
Example:The company faced multiple breaches of contract.
posture (n.)
A stance or attitude towards something.
Example:His posture during the meeting was defensive.
dismissive (adj.)
Showing disregard or contempt.
Example:Her dismissive comments offended many colleagues.
victory (n.)
A success or triumph over an opponent.
Example:The team's victory was celebrated across the city.
judicial (adj.)
Relating to courts or judges.
Example:The judicial process can be lengthy and complex.
disgorgement (n.)
The act of returning profits to the rightful owner.
Example:The court ordered disgorgement of the illegal earnings.
originality (n.)
The quality of being novel or unique.
Example:The originality of the design set it apart from competitors.
infringement (n.)
The violation of a legal right.
Example:The lawsuit alleged copyright infringement.
composition (n.)
The arrangement or structure of elements.
Example:The song's composition was praised by critics.
alleged (adj.)
Claimed or asserted but not proven.
Example:The alleged misconduct was investigated thoroughly.
remuneration (n.)
Payment or compensation for work.
Example:The contract specified remuneration for services rendered.
notification (n.)
A notice or announcement.
Example:The notification informed employees of the policy change.
consent (n.)
Permission or approval.
Example:Her consent was required before the data could be shared.
copyright (n.)
A legal right protecting original works.
Example:The artist's copyright was infringed by the company.
trademark (n.)
A distinctive sign or symbol used to identify a brand.
Example:The trademark was registered to prevent imitation.
Practice C2 words in a crossword→