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Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix, accusing the entertainment giant of trademark infringement and unfair competition tied to the blockbuster “KPop Demon Hunters” name.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by Hyde Lane, the company behind Demon Hunter, and alleges that Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents have created “substantial confusion” among consumers.
“Demon Hunter [is] a well-known and celebrated metal band. Demon Hunter was formed at the turn of the century and, in the quarter-century since, it has consistently released albums, toured, and sold merchandise to a large and dedicated audience,” the Tuesday filing stated, according to the Wrap.
“Unfortunately, in 2025, Netflix and Netflix Studios – despite almost certainly being aware of Demon Hunter – chose to release a movie titled ‘KPop Demon Hunters’,” the filing said, adding that the film “reached unprecedented levels of success, not only as a film on Netflix’s streaming service, but also via the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ movie soundtrack album and merchandise”.
The band, who have been releasing music and touring for 25 years, say the alleged confusion has already had real-world consequences.
Among the examples included in the lawsuit is an email from someone who spent $500 on top-tier tickets for a Demon Hunter concert in Albany, New York, believing the tickets were for a KPop Demon Hunters show that they planned to attend with their five- and six-year-old girls.
“Is their [sic] anyway to refund me or get me a credit or something[?]” the person asked, according to Complex. “If I dont get it refunded I will not be able to purchase tickets to the actual ‘K pop demon hunters show’.”
The complaint points to other alleged mix-ups as well. A television producer reportedly approached Demon Hunter’s management under the mistaken impression that the band was connected to KPop Demon Hunters, while social media users have incorrectly tagged Demon Hunter in posts about the film.
Demon Hunter is now asking a court to block Netflix from using the KPop Demon Hunters name in connection with recorded music, live performances and merchandise. The band is also seeking unspecified damages.
The trademark dispute comes as both sides have pursued protections for their respective names. Demon Hunter’s company registered “Demon Hunter” as a trademark covering recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has also applied for trademark protection related to live music.
Netflix, meanwhile, has registered “KPop Demon Hunters” as a trademark for several merchandise uses, with additional applications still pending.
The legal fight follows the extraordinary success of the animated adventure, which centers on Huntrix, a music trio that hunts demons. Sony Pictures originally made the film before it was released through Netflix under a first-look deal.
After arriving on the streaming platform in summer 2025, the movie became a runaway hit and ultimately the most-watched original film in Netflix history.
Its success has already set the stage for more. A sequel was confirmed earlier this year, while Netflix is reportedly weighing additional projects connected to the property, including a television series and stage musical.
