In a legal move dated August 18, 2026, the Christian metal band Demon Hunter has taken legal action against Netflix for trademark infringement, citing that the popular film “KPop Demon Hunters” has caused confusion among viewers. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, alleges that the film’s title bears a close resemblance to the band’s trademarked name.
According to the complaint, Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has released 13 albums and achieved significant sales, including streaming numbers totaling the equivalent of one million albums. The band’s latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.
Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, a film revolving around members of a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters. The movie has broken records as Netflix’s most-viewed film, amassing over 325.1 million views by March, according to the streaming service.
Since the release of the film, Demon Hunter has been contacted by individuals who have mistaken the band for the characters in “KPop Demon Hunters,” as detailed in the legal complaint. Instances include a parent requesting a ticket refund after mistakenly buying tickets for a non-existent “KPop Demon Hunters” concert and a TV producer seeking an interview with a non-existent band member named Yu-Han Lee, who is actually a songwriter associated with the film.
Furthermore, social media users have erroneously used the hashtag #DemonHunter when discussing “KPop Demon Hunters,” causing further confusion. The complaint emphasizes that Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” title infringes on Demon Hunter’s trademark rights, likening it to unauthorized use of well-known band names like Metallica or U2.
Legal counsel John Tehranian, representing Demon Hunter, declined to provide a comment on the ongoing situation. In response, Netflix issued a statement to CBC News stating their intention to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the claims made by Demon Hunter are unfounded. Netflix emphasized the global success of “KPop Demon Hunters” and expressed readiness to defend their position in court.