Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix, alleging trademark infringement due to the streaming platform’s movie titled “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit, filed on August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims that the film’s title is too similar to the band’s trademark, owned by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter.
Founded in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark (who left the band in 2009), Demon Hunter has a discography of 13 albums and has sold the equivalent of one million albums, considering streaming figures. Their latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, depicting members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group doubling as demon hunters. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched production, garnering over 325.1 million views as of March.
Following the movie’s release, Demon Hunter has encountered instances of mistaken identity, with individuals confusing the band with the characters from “KPop Demon Hunters.” For example, a parent mistakenly sought a concert ticket refund, believing they had purchased tickets for a show by “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Moreover, the band received inquiries meant for unrelated individuals, such as a producer from “Inside Edition” requesting an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” a songwriter associated with the film but not a member of Demon Hunter.
Instances of social media misuse have also emerged, with incorrect use of the hashtag #DemonHunter in posts related to “KPop Demon Hunters.” The complaint asserts that Netflix’s use of the title infringes on Demon Hunter’s rights and likens it to unauthorized use of iconic band names like Metallica, U2, or Black Sabbath in a similar context.
Legal representation for Demon Hunter, including lawyer John Tehranian, declined to comment at this time. Netflix, in response to the allegations, has stated its intent to contest the lawsuit, emphasizing the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” and expressing readiness to defend its position vigorously.