Christian metal band Demon Hunter is taking legal action against Netflix for alleged trademark infringement related to the popular movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” In a lawsuit filed on August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, claims that the movie’s title is too similar to the band’s trademarked name. According to the complaint, Hyde Lane holds the trademark for “Demon Hunter.”
The legal filing accuses Netflix of disregarding the band’s intellectual property rights for profit, highlighting the disparity in how large corporations protect their own rights compared to those of others. Brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark founded Demon Hunter in Seattle in 2000, with Don leaving the band in 2009. The band has released 13 albums and achieved significant sales, including one million album equivalents when factoring in streaming. Their most recent album, “There Was a Light Here,” came out in 2025.
Netflix’s release of “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025 has garnered immense popularity, becoming the platform’s most-watched movie ever with over 325.1 million views by March. However, following the film’s debut, Demon Hunter has faced confusion from individuals mistaking the band for the characters in the movie.
An incident in February involved a parent requesting a concert ticket refund after mistakenly purchasing tickets for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show, thinking it was related to the band. Subsequently, a producer from the TV show “Inside Edition” reached out to book an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” mistaking him for a member of Demon Hunter. Yu Han Lee is a songwriter who won an Oscar for best original song in 2026 for “Golden,” featured in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Moreover, social media users have misused the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit firmly states that Netflix’s use of the title infringes on Demon Hunter’s trademark, comparing it to hypothetical scenarios involving other famous bands.
John Tehranian, the band’s legal representative, declined to comment on the matter. In response, Netflix stated that the allegations are baseless and affirmed its commitment to defending the lawsuit. The company praised the success of “KPop Demon Hunters” as a global phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide with its music, storytelling, and characters.
