A legal battle is brewing between Christian metal band Demon Hunter and streaming giant Netflix over alleged trademark infringement linked to the hit movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” Demon Hunter’s parent company, Hyde Lane Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming that the film’s title is too similar to the band’s trademarked name.
Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in Seattle in 2000, has a long-standing history with 13 albums released and significant album sales. The band’s latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” came out in 2025. On the other hand, Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” released in June 2025, has garnered immense popularity, becoming the most-watched movie on the platform with over 325.1 million views by March.
The lawsuit alleges that confusion has arisen among the public, with instances such as a mistaken ticket purchase for a Demon Hunter concert, thinking it was related to “KPop Demon Hunters.” Additionally, a mix-up occurred when a producer from “Inside Edition” sought an interview with “Yu-Han Lee,” mistakenly assuming he was a member of Demon Hunter when, in fact, he was the songwriter behind a song in the film.
Social media misuse of the hashtag #DemonHunter in discussions about “KPop Demon Hunters” has further fueled the dispute. The legal representation for Demon Hunter has refrained from commenting at this time, while Netflix has vowed to contest the lawsuit, asserting the significance and impact of their film on a global scale.
The ongoing legal tussle highlights the clash between protecting intellectual property rights and the creative output of entertainment giants like Netflix, setting the stage for a contentious legal showdown in the coming days.