Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement, claiming that the popular movie “KPop Demon Hunters” has caused confusion among viewers. The lawsuit, filed by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, on August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, argues that the film’s title closely resembles the band’s trademarked name.
According to the complaint, Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has released 13 albums and achieved significant sales, including one million album equivalents through streaming. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” released in June 2025, portrays members of a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters and has become Netflix’s most-watched movie with over 325.1 million views as of March. However, Demon Hunter claims that since the film’s release, they have received inquiries from individuals who have mistakenly associated the band with “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The complaint recounts instances where confusion arose, such as a parent seeking a refund for concert tickets, believing they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. Additionally, a producer from “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s manager to interview a person named Yu Han Lee, mistakenly assuming they were associated with the film when, in reality, Yu Han Lee is a songwriter who won an Academy Award for a song featured in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Social media misuse of the hashtag #DemonHunter in relation to the film was also highlighted in the complaint. The legal representatives for Demon Hunter emphasized that Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” mark infringes on their trademark rights, comparing it to hypothetical scenarios involving established music bands.
John Tehranian, the band’s legal counsel, declined to comment on the ongoing issue. In response, Netflix stated that they will contest the lawsuit, rejecting the claims of trademark infringement. The company defended the success of “KPop Demon Hunters,” describing it as a globally acclaimed production that has resonated with audiences worldwide, promising to vigorously defend their position.