Christian metal band Demon Hunter sued Netflix over a trademark

Demon Hunter, a Christian metalcore band under the wider rock umbrella, has sued Netflix, alleging that the streamer's animated hit KPop Demon Hunters has created what the band calls a "substantial likelihood of confusion" among consumers. The lawsuit, filed by Hyde Lane, the band's corporate entity, also names Netflix Studios and AEG Presents, the concert promoter behind a planned KPop Demon Hunters live tour.

Demon Hunter formed in Seattle in 2000, led by brothers Ryan and Don Clark, and has released 12 studio albums, building an audience of more than 348,000 monthly Spotify listeners along with early videos such as "Dead Flowers" and "Someone to Hate" that have drawn millions of YouTube views. Hyde Lane trademarked the name "Demon Hunter" for live performances in 2014 and added protections covering recorded music and merchandise in 2022.

The suit argues that KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix's 2025 animated musical about a girl-group trio who moonlight as demon hunters, has "eclipsed" the band's own identity, particularly since AEG Presents announced a global concert tour tied to the film in May. The complaint cites specific mix-ups, including a fan who sought a refund on $500 tickets to a Demon Hunter show in Albany, New York, after mistaking it for a KPop Demon Hunters concert, and a television producer who contacted the band's manager seeking an interview with the film's songwriter after its Oscar win.

Netflix has denied the claims. "The allegations are without merit," the company said in a statement, calling KPop Demon Hunters "an Academy Award winning global phenomenon" that has "inspired fans around the world."

KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most-watched animated original film after its 2025 release, and its song "Golden" became the first K-pop track to win an Oscar. A sequel is already in production as Demon Hunter's trademark case, which does not specify damages sought, moves through the California court system.