Metal Band Demon Hunter Files Trademark Lawsuit Against Netflix Over KPop Demon Hunters Success

US Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, arguing that the expansion of KPop Demon Hunters into recorded music, merchandise, and a planned concert tour infringes upon its long-standing trademarks.

The legal complaint was submitted to the US District Court for the Central District of California by Hyde Lane, the operating company for Demon Hunter. The defendants named in the filing include Netflix, Netflix Studios, and concert promoter AEG Presents, facing accusations of trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Established in Seattle in 2000, Demon Hunter has released 12 studio albums. According to the lawsuit, Hyde Lane has utilized the name commercially since 2001 and holds US trademark registrations for recorded music, clothing, and additional products.

The legal filing contends that the film's soundtrack, branded merchandise, and global tour create an "almost complete overlap" with the offerings of the band. To support claims of consumer confusion, the document highlights an incident where a buyer spent $500 on concert tickets believing it was a KPop Demon Hunters event suitable for young children, alongside a television producer who mistakenly assumed a connection to the film.

Hyde Lane is requesting a jury trial, an injunction to prevent the defendants from using the title for music, live performances, and merchandise, as well as restitution and unspecified damages.

Netflix Studios holds its own trademark registrations for KPop Demon Hunters regarding specific merchandise, with additional applications pending. At the time of writing, neither Netflix nor AEG Presents had publicly responded to the claims.

Released on Netflix in June 2025 and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, KPop Demon Hunters follows the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X. The film has accumulated over 500 million views and secured two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Golden.