Demon Hunter, a Christian metal band, has taken legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement related to the popular movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” According to a complaint filed on August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, the band claims that the movie’s title closely resembles their trademarked name. Hyde Lane holds the registered trademark for “Demon Hunter.”
The lawsuit accuses Netflix of disregarding the band’s intellectual property rights in pursuit of profits, highlighting a clash between the rights of smaller entities and larger corporations. Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has a significant musical presence with 13 albums and impressive sales, including streaming figures equivalent to one million albums. Their latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
“KPop Demon Hunters,” released by Netflix in June 2025, chronicles the adventures of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group doubling as demon fighters. The film has garnered immense popularity, becoming Netflix’s most-watched movie with over 325.1 million views by March. However, Demon Hunter claims that since the movie’s release, they have received inquiries from individuals confusing the band with the movie.
In one incident detailed in the complaint, Demon Hunter’s parent company received an email in February requesting a refund for concert tickets, mistakenly believed to be for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. This confusion extended to a producer from “Inside Edition” contacting Demon Hunter’s manager to arrange an interview with a person not associated with the band but recognized for their work on the movie’s soundtrack.
Moreover, the complaint mentions instances where social media users incorrectly used the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The legal representatives for Demon Hunter, led by lawyer John Tehranian, declined to comment on the matter at this time.
In response to the lawsuit, Netflix stated via email to CBC News that they intend to challenge the allegations, asserting that the claims lack merit. The company emphasized the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters,” an Academy Award-winning production that has captivated audiences worldwide with its music, narrative, and characters, expressing readiness to defend their position vigorously.