Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix, alleging trademark infringement associated with the streamer\u2019s hit film \u201cKPop Demon Hunters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Hyde Lane, the corporate entity for Demon Hunter, against Netflix, Netflix Studios and AEG Presents, the live-entertainment division of AEG, with claims that the defendants have \u201ccreated a substantial likelihood of confusion\u201d among consumers.<\/p>\n
In a Thursday email to The Times, Netflix said that the \u201callegations are without merit.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNetflix has created an Academy Award winning global phenomenon with KPop Demon Hunters that has inspired fans around the world with its powerful music, storytelling, and characters. We look forward to vigorously defending this matter,\u201d the streaming platform said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The metalcore band \u2014 which was formed in 2000 out of Seattle by brothers Ryan and Don Clark \u2014 claims the success of the 2025 urban fantasy flick has \u201ceclipse[d]\u201d the group\u2019s \u201cestablished identity\u201d and \u201ccommercial fate,\u201d especially as plans for a KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour<\/a> were announced in May in partnership with AEG Presents.<\/p>\n Hyde Lane originally trademarked \u201cDemon Hunter\u201d in 2014 under entertainment, namely live performances. To date, the band has released 12 studio albums and amassed more than 348,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Several of its early music videos, including popular tracks like \u201cDead Flowers<\/a>\u201d and \u201cSomeone to Hate,<\/a>\u201d have garnered millions of views on YouTube.<\/p>\n In 2022, the company submitted other trademark protections for recorded music and merchandise.<\/p>\n By comparison, Netflix filed 10 applications under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for \u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d for merchandise purposes starting in August 2025.<\/p>\n Hyde Lane has \u201cbeen forced to surrender control over its commercial identity simply because Defendants have greater resources and a larger marketplace footprint,\u201d the lawsuit states<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the suit, the plaintiffs cite instances where there has been \u201cconsumer confusion.\u201d<\/p>\n On Feb. 26, 2026, someone requested a refund after purchasing $500 tickets to a Demon Hunter show in Albany, N.Y., believing it was for a KPop Demon Hunters concert, according to the suit. \u201cIf I dont get it refunded I will not be able to purchase tickets to the actual \u2018K pop demon hunters show,\u2019\u201d the email read.<\/p>\n On March 16, a producer from \u201cInside Edition\u201d emailed Demon Hunter manager Ryan J. Downey to request an interview with songwriter Yu Han Lee (of KPop Demon Hunters) following the Oscar win for original song, the lawsuit states.<\/p>\n Additionally, the plaintiffs say the Christian band has been incorrectly tagged in connection to various KPop Demon Hunters content.<\/p>\n \u201cDue to Defendants\u2019 wrongful actions, Demon Hunter\u2019s established identity is becoming increasingly obscured within recorded music, live touring and merchandise-related channels due to overlapping use by the KPop Demon Hunters brand,\u201d the lawsuit states.<\/p>\n Hyde Lane is requesting Netflix and Netflix Studios be held liable for infringement, although no specified amount was listed in the suit.<\/p>\n The complaint arrives a year after the 2025 animated musical \u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d \u2014 which centered on Huntrix, a music trio who hunt demons \u2014 reached unprecedented heights, becoming Netflix\u2019s most-watched animated original movie<\/a>. Earlier this year, the film\u2019s focus track, \u201cGolden,\u201d became the first K-pop song to win an Oscar<\/a>.<\/p>\n