Demon Hunter sues Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters trademark
Demon Hunter, a Christian metal band with roughly 25 years of albums, touring, and merchandise, has sued Netflix, Netflix Studios, and AEG Presents in federal court, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition over the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters and its planned global concert tour. Hyde Lane, the company behind the band, filed the complaint Tuesday in the Central District of California.
Key Takeaways
- Hyde Lane sued Netflix, Netflix Studios, and AEG Presents on August 18 over the KPop Demon Hunters name.
- The band claims the film, soundtrack, merchandise, and upcoming world tour create substantial consumer confusion with its Demon Hunter trademark.
- Real mix-ups cited include a $500 ticket purchase mistake and a TV producer contacting the wrong group.
- Demon Hunter wants a court order blocking Netflix from using the name and is seeking restitution and treble damages.
- KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most-watched original film after its 2025 release, with a sequel already confirmed.
Why is Demon Hunter suing Netflix?
Hyde Lane filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, naming Netflix, Netflix Studios, and live events promoter AEG Presents as defendants. According to the complaint, reviewed by Complex, the band alleges trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.
Demon Hunter formed at the turn of the century and has spent more than two decades building goodwill through consistent album releases, touring, and merchandise. The filing argues Netflix almost certainly knew a band called Demon Hunter already existed when it released the 2025 animated film, which follows K-pop superstars who secretly hunt demons.
What confusion has the KPop Demon Hunters name caused?
The lawsuit centers on what Hyde Lane calls substantial confusion running in both directions. Consumers may wrongly attribute Netflix products to the metal band, while Netflix's vastly larger marketplace footprint could lead fans to think Demon Hunter is affiliated with the film.
The complaint includes a real example: a buyer spent $500 on top-tier tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in Albany, New York, mistakenly believing they were purchasing seats for a KPop Demon Hunters show to take their five- and six-year-old daughters. The buyer emailed asking for a refund, writing that without one they could not afford tickets to the actual KPop Demon Hunters show.
Other alleged mix-ups include a television producer who approached Demon Hunter's management thinking the band was connected to the Netflix property, and social media users regularly tagging the band in posts about the film.
What does the band want from the lawsuit?
Hyde Lane is demanding a jury trial and asking the court to prevent Netflix from using the KPop Demon Hunters name in connection with recorded music, live performances, and merchandise. The company also seeks restitution and treble damages.
The complaint accuses the defendants of being massive companies that jealously guard their own intellectual property while willfully disregarding the rights of others in pursuit of profits. Despite being the senior trademark user with decades of invested goodwill, Hyde Lane says it has been effectively pushed aside.
Demon Hunter registered Demon Hunter as a trademark covering recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has since applied for protection related to live music. Netflix has filed numerous trademark applications for KPop Demon Hunters merchandise and its announced global arena tour in partnership with AEG.
How successful has KPop Demon Hunters been?
KPop Demon Hunters arrived on Netflix in summer 2025 and became a runaway hit, ultimately surpassing Red Notice as the most-watched Netflix film of all time with more than 325 million views, according to Forbes. A sequel was confirmed earlier this year, and Netflix is reportedly weighing additional projects including a television series and stage musical.
The dispute lands amid a broader wave of streaming and TV alerts as platforms expand hit franchises into live events. After Netflix announced the KPop Demon Hunters World Tour, Hyde Lane alleges the defendants moved into almost complete overlap with the goods and services it had offered under the Demon Hunter name for decades.