A Christian metal band called Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging trademark infringement due to the streaming platform’s movie, named KPop Demon Hunters, causing confusion among viewers. The complaint, dated August 18, 2026, and lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, asserts that the film’s title closely resembles the band’s trademarked name. Hyde Lane holds the registered trademark for “Demon Hunter,” as stated in the legal filing.
The legal action described the situation as a classic scenario where large corporations, keen on safeguarding and enforcing their intellectual property rights, overlook the rights of others for financial gains. Formed in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark, Demon Hunter has released 13 albums and achieved sales equivalent to one million albums, including streaming numbers, according to the complaint. The band’s most recent album, There Was a Light Here, was released in 2025.
Netflix launched KPop Demon Hunters in June 2025, a movie portraying members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group doubling as demon hunters. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched production, amassing over 325.1 million views by March, according to the company. Following the film’s release, Demon Hunter has received inquiries from individuals mistakenly associating the band with KPop Demon Hunters, notes the complaint.
In February, Demon Hunter’s parent company received an email seeking a ticket refund for a concert, as a parent mistakenly believed they had purchased tickets for a KPop Demon Hunters event. The message expressed concerns about attending a concert not suitable for young children. The complaint details another mix-up when a producer from Inside Edition reached out to schedule an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” erroneously assuming he was part of Demon Hunter. Yu Han Lee, in reality, is a songwriter who won the 2026 Academy Award for best original song for “Golden,” featured in KPop Demon Hunters.
Furthermore, social media users have incorrectly utilized the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing KPop Demon Hunters. The complaint stresses that Netflix should not have the right to use the KPop Demon Hunters name, likening it to launching music acts, live shows, and merchandise under titles like KPop Metallica, KPop U2, or KPop Black Sabbath, as per the complaint.
John Tehranian, the band’s legal representative, declined to comment on the matter at this time. In response, Netflix stated via email to CBC News that it intends to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the allegations lack validity. The company highlighted the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, an Academy Award-winning phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide through its impactful music, storytelling, and characters. Netflix expressed readiness to vigorously defend its position in the legal dispute.