Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement, claiming that the streaming platform has caused confusion with its popular film titled “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit, dated August 18, 2026, and filed 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 is too similar to the band’s trademarked name.
According to the complaint, Demon Hunter, established by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has released 13 albums and garnered significant success, including selling the equivalent of one million albums when factoring in streaming numbers. The band’s most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025. In contrast, Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” released in June 2025, explores the story of members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group who engage in demon hunting. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched movie, accumulating over 325.1 million views by March, according to the company.
Since the release of “KPop Demon Hunters,” Demon Hunter claims to have received inquiries from individuals who have mistaken the band for the movie. Notably, in February, the band’s parent company received an email seeking a refund for concert tickets mistakenly thought to be for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. Additionally, a producer from the TV show “Inside Edition” reached out to book an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” erroneously assuming he was a member of Demon Hunter. Yu-Han Lee is actually a songwriter who won an Academy Award in 2026 for his song “Golden,” featured in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Moreover, the complaint highlights instances where social media users incorrectly used the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit argues that Netflix’s use of the title “KPop Demon Hunters” infringes on Demon Hunter’s trademark rights and likens it to unauthorized use of iconic band names like Metallica, U2, or Black Sabbath.
While the band’s attorney, John Tehranian, declined to provide a comment, Netflix responded to CBC News via email, stating that they will contest the lawsuit. Netflix defended its film, calling “KPop Demon Hunters” an Academy Award-winning global sensation that has captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling music, narrative, and characters. The company expressed its readiness to vigorously defend against the legal action.