Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement related to the successful film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit, filed in August 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims that Netflix’s movie title has caused confusion among viewers due to its similarity to the band’s name. Demon Hunter’s parent company, Hyde Lane Inc., asserts ownership of the trademark “Demon Hunter.”
The legal complaint accuses Netflix of prioritizing profits over respecting intellectual property rights, highlighting the disparity in treatment between large corporations safeguarding their own trademarks and overlooking the rights of others. Established in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle, Demon Hunter has released 13 albums, including the recent 2025 album, “There Was a Light Here,” and has achieved significant album sales, including streaming figures equivalent to one million albums.
Released by Netflix in June 2025, “KPop Demon Hunters” narrates the story of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group engaged in demon hunting activities. The film has garnered immense popularity, becoming Netflix’s most-viewed movie with over 325.1 million views by March. Following the movie’s release, Demon Hunter has encountered instances where individuals mistakenly associated the band with “KPop Demon Hunters.”
In one incident detailed in the complaint, Demon Hunter’s parent company received an email requesting a refund for concert tickets under the assumption that they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. Subsequently, a producer from “Inside Edition” erroneously sought an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” mistaking him for a member of Demon Hunter. Yu-Han Lee is, in fact, a songwriter recognized for his work in the film’s soundtrack.
Further, social media users have inaccurately utilized the hashtag #DemonHunter in discussions related to “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit contends that Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” title is unjustifiable, comparing it to hypothetical scenarios involving iconic bands like Metallica and U2.
While the band’s legal representative, John Tehranian, declined to provide a statement, Netflix expressed intent to contest the lawsuit, dismissing the allegations as unfounded. The company emphasized the film’s global impact and audience inspiration, pledging to vigorously defend against the legal challenge.
