Samsung Electronics said it confirmed the usage rights in response to controversy over the unauthorized use of photos of global pop star Dua Lipa.
Samsung Electronics issued a statement on the 12th on the lawsuit filed by Lipa's side over alleged unauthorized use of images, saying, "The claim that we used the artist's image without authorization is not true," and, "We confirmed the usage rights for the image through a content provider partner and used it."
Lipa's side filed a lawsuit of about $15 million (about 22 billion won) on the 8th (local time) in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, saying Samsung Electronics affixed and sold her image without authorization on TV packaging boxes. They argue that because Samsung Electronics did not obtain consent to use the image on TV packaging boxes in the United States last year, it infringed copyright and the right of publicity.
Samsung Electronics explained that it used the image after receiving confirmation through a content provider partner that the image could be used on TV packaging boxes. In July last year, when Lipa's side raised an issue that they had not consented to the use of the image on TV packaging boxes, Samsung Electronics immediately halted box production and began replacement work, and moved to resolve the issue through dialogue. However, Lipa's side filed a lawsuit.
A Samsung Electronics official said, "We have continued to hold talks with Dua Lipa's side until recently and will do our best for an amicable resolution."