Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix, alleging trademark infringement due to the streaming platform’s release of the popular movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit, filed by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on August 18, 2026, claims that the film’s title bears a striking resemblance to the band’s trademarked name.
Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has a significant musical presence with 13 albums and over one million album equivalents sold, including streaming figures. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Released in June 2025, Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” follows the story of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group doubling as demon hunters, and has become Netflix’s most-watched movie with over 325.1 million views as of March. The complaint states that since the film’s debut, Demon Hunter has encountered instances of mistaken identity, with individuals confusing the band with the movie.
An incident in February involved a parent requesting a concert ticket refund after mistakenly purchasing tickets for a “KPop Demon Hunters” event, assuming it was related to the band. Furthermore, a mix-up occurred when a producer from “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s manager seeking an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” mistakenly assuming he was a member of the band. Yu Han Lee is actually a songwriter who won an Oscar for the song “Golden,” featured in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Social media users have also contributed to the confusion by incorrectly using the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The complaint argues that Netflix’s use of the title infringes on the band’s trademark rights and likens it to unauthorized use of established band names like Metallica, U2, or Black Sabbath.
Legal representation for Demon Hunter declined to comment on the matter, while Netflix asserted its intention to contest the lawsuit, dismissing the allegations as baseless. The streaming giant emphasized the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters,” which it views as a celebrated cultural phenomenon that resonates with audiences worldwide.