A Christian metal band named Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against Netflix for trademark infringement, alleging that the streaming service has caused confusion with its popular movie, “KPop Demon Hunters.” The complaint, dated August 18, 2026, and lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by lawyers representing Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, argues that the film’s title bears a striking resemblance to the band’s trademarked name.
Demon Hunter was founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, with Don departing the band in 2009. The band has released 13 albums and has sold over a million album equivalents, including streams. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025. On the other hand, Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025. The film follows members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters and has become Netflix’s most-viewed movie, accumulating over 325.1 million views by March.
Following the release of the film, Demon Hunter claims to have received inquiries from individuals who mistakenly associated the band with “KPop Demon Hunters.” The complaint cites instances such as a parent mistakenly purchasing concert tickets believing they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show and a producer from “Inside Edition” contacting Demon Hunter’s manager to book someone unrelated to the band for an interview about an Oscar win related to the movie’s soundtrack.
Additionally, social media users have reportedly misused the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit argues that Netflix’s use of the title infringes on Demon Hunter’s trademark, drawing a comparison to hypothetical scenarios like Netflix launching music acts under names like KPop Metallica, KPop U2, or KPop Black Sabbath.
While John Tehranian, the band’s legal representative, declined to comment on the matter, Netflix responded to CBC News via email, asserting that the allegations are baseless and expressing its commitment to vigorously defending against the lawsuit. The company highlighted the worldwide success of “KPop Demon Hunters” as an Academy Award-winning production that has captivated audiences with its compelling music, narrative, and characters.