Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement related to the movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” The band claims that the film’s title has caused confusion among the public and infringes on their trademark rights. 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, highlights the similarity between the band’s name and the movie title.
Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has a long history of music production, having released 13 albums and achieving significant sales, including through streaming platforms. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025. On the other hand, Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” released in June 2025, became a major success, garnering over 325.1 million views by March, making it the most-watched movie on the platform.
Since the film’s release, Demon Hunter has encountered instances of mistaken identity, with individuals confusing the band with the movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” These incidents include a parent requesting a refund for concert tickets under the impression they were for a show related to the movie. Additionally, a producer from the TV show “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s management seeking an interview with a person unrelated to the band but featured in the movie.
Furthermore, the complaint notes that social media users have erroneously used the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The legal representatives of Demon Hunter highlighted the importance of protecting their trademark and emphasized that Netflix’s use of the movie title infringes on their rights. While the band’s lawyer, John Tehranian, declined to comment, Netflix expressed its intention to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the allegations are baseless and highlighting the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters.”