Christian metal band Demon Hunter has initiated legal action against Netflix for trademark infringement, alleging that the popular movie “KPop Demon Hunters” has caused confusion among viewers. The lawsuit, filed on August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, contends that the film’s title closely resembles the band’s trademarked name.
The complaint asserts that major corporations often prioritize their own intellectual property rights while neglecting the rights of others for financial gain. Founded in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark, Demon Hunter has released 13 albums and achieved significant sales, including one million album equivalents through streaming. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, a movie depicting members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group engaged in demon hunting activities. The film became Netflix’s highest-viewed production, amassing over 325.1 million views by March. Following the movie’s release, Demon Hunter reported instances of individuals mistakenly associating the band with “KPop Demon Hunters.”
In February, Hyde Lane Inc. received an email seeking a ticket refund for a concert, with the sender mistakenly assuming they had purchased tickets for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. The complaint also highlights an incident where a producer from “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s manager to schedule an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” who is actually a songwriter associated with the movie’s soundtrack, not a member of the band.
Moreover, social media users have misused the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters,” further exacerbating the confusion. The complaint emphasizes that Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” title infringes on Demon Hunter’s trademark rights, drawing parallels with hypothetical scenarios like “KPop Metallica” or “KPop U2.”
Legal representation for Demon Hunter, John Tehranian, declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit. In response, Netflix expressed its intention to contest the allegations, dismissing them as baseless. The streaming service emphasized the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters,” an Academy Award-winning production that has captivated audiences worldwide with its music, storytelling, and characters.
Netflix affirmed its commitment to vigorously defending against the legal challenge brought forth by Demon Hunter.
