Demon Hunter, a Christian metal band, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix for trademark infringement, alleging that the streaming platform’s popular film, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has caused confusion among viewers. In a legal complaint dated August 18, 2026, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, attorneys representing Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, assert that the movie’s title bears significant resemblance to the band’s trademarked name. According to the complaint, Hyde Lane holds the official trademark for “Demon Hunter.”
The legal document describes the lawsuit as a prime example of large corporations aggressively protecting their intellectual property rights while disregarding the rights of others in pursuit of financial gain. Founded in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark (who left the band in 2009), Demon Hunter has released 13 albums and achieved the equivalent of one million album sales, including streaming numbers. Their latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, a film that follows members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group with a secret life as demon hunters. The movie has become Netflix’s most-viewed film, amassing over 325.1 million views as of March. However, since the movie’s release, Demon Hunter has received inquiries from confused individuals who have mistaken the band for characters from “KPop Demon Hunters.”
One incident cited in the complaint occurred in February when Demon Hunter’s parent company received an email seeking a refund for concert tickets purchased under the assumption that they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. The parent expressed concern that their young children might not fit in at a Demon Hunter concert. Additionally, a producer from the TV show “Inside Edition” mistakenly contacted Demon Hunter’s manager to book an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” who is not associated with the band but is a songwriter recognized for his work in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Social media users have also contributed to the confusion by misusing the hashtag #DemonHunter in posts related to “KPop Demon Hunters.” The legal complaint argues that Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” mark is unjustifiable, likening it to hypothetical scenarios where Netflix would launch projects under names like KPop Metallica, KPop U2, or KPop Black Sabbath.
John Tehranian, the band’s legal representative, declined to provide a comment at this time. In response to the lawsuit, Netflix stated that the allegations are baseless and affirmed its commitment to defending the matter vigorously. The company praised “KPop Demon Hunters” as a globally acclaimed production that has captivated audiences worldwide with its music, storytelling, and characters.