Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix for trademark infringement, saying the streaming giant has created confusion with its hit movie KPop Demon Hunters.
In a complaint dated Aug. 18, 2026, and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, lawyers for Hyde Lane Inc. — Demon Hunter’s parent company — say the film’s name is too similar to the band’s. Hyde Lane is the registered owner of the trademark “Demon Hunter,” according to the complaint.
“This lawsuit is a classic case of massive companies that jealously guard and enforce their own intellectual property rights willfully disregarding the rights of others in pursuit of profits,” the complaint reads.
Brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark formed Demon Hunter in Seattle in 2000, though Don left the band in 2009. Since its formation, the band has released 13 albums and sold the equivalent of one million albums when streaming is included, according to the complaint. The band released its most recent album, There Was a Light Here, in 2025.
Netflix released KPop Demon Hunters in June 2025. It follows members of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon hunters. The film is Netflix’s most-watched movie ever, with more than 325.1 million views as of March, according to the company.
But since the film’s release, Demon Hunter has received inquiries from people who appear to have confused the band with KPop Demon Hunters, the complaint says.
In February, the complaint says, Demon Hunter’s parent company received an email requesting a refund for a concert ticket. It was from a parent who thought they were purchasing tickets to a KPop Demon Hunters show.
“After I accepted the tickets I realized that you guys are not KPop Demon Hunters and that my five and six year-old girls will probably not fit in well at your concert,” the parent said.
The complaint says less than a month later, a producer from the television show Inside Edition emailed Demon Hunter’s manager to book “Yu-Han Lee” for an interview about winning an Oscar. Yu Han Lee is not a member of Demon Hunter. He is a songwriter who won the 2026 Academy Award for best original song for “Golden,” which was featured in KPop Demon Hunters.
The complaint also says social media users have incorrectly used the hashtag #DemonHunter when posting about KPop Demon Hunters.
“Simply put, Netflix is no more entitled to use the mark KPop Demon Hunters than it would be to launch a recording artist, live touring show and merchandise under the marks KPop Metallica, KPop U2 or KPop Black Sabbath,” the complaint said.
John Tehranian, a lawyer representing the band, said his client has no comment at this time.
Netflix said in an emailed statement to CBC News that it will fight the lawsuit.
“These allegations are without merit,” the company said.
“Netflix 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.”
