A Christian metal band, Demon Hunter, is taking legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement related to the movie “KPop Demon Hunters,” claiming that the film’s title causes confusion with the band’s established brand. The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by lawyers representing Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter and the registered owner of the trademark “Demon Hunter.”
According to the complaint, the lawsuit highlights the issue of large corporations prioritizing their own intellectual property rights over those of others for financial gain, as stated in the complaint. Founded in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark (with Don leaving the band in 2009), Demon Hunter has released 13 albums and sold the equivalent of one million albums, including streaming numbers. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, featuring members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched movie ever, garnering over 325.1 million views by March, according to Netflix. However, since the film’s release, Demon Hunter has faced inquiries from individuals mistakenly associating the band with “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The complaint cites incidents such as a parent requesting a refund for concert tickets, mistakenly assuming they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show. Additionally, a producer from the TV show “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s manager to book “Yu-Han Lee” for an interview about winning an Oscar, despite the fact that Yu Han Lee is a songwriter unrelated to the band, recognized for the song “Golden” featured in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Social media users have also incorrectly used the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The complaint emphasizes that Netflix should not be entitled to use the “KPop Demon Hunters” mark, drawing comparisons to launching music artists or shows with names like KPop Metallica, KPop U2, or KPop Black Sabbath.
John Tehranian, the band’s legal representative, declined to comment on the matter. In response, Netflix conveyed through an email to CBC News its intention to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the allegations lack merit. Netflix highlighted the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters,” an Academy Award-winning production that has captivated audiences worldwide with its music, storytelling, and characters. The company expressed readiness to vigorously defend against the legal challenge.