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Trademark fight ignites
Christian metal band Demon Hunter sued Netflix, Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents over the name of the animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters," with Hyde Lane filing the case and seeking a jury trial.
“seeking a jury trial”
The lawsuit says Netflix "almost certainly" was aware the band existed before choosing the film’s title, and it characterizes the resulting mix-up as an "existential crisis" for the band.
Demon Hunter, formed in Seattle in 2000 by Ryan Clark and Don Clark, says its name has been harmed as the film’s success expands into merchandising and live events tied to the franchise.
The complaint also points to confusion involving tickets, including an email describing a man who said he had spent $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter show in Albany, New York, after mistaking it for an appearance by the fictional girl group depicted in the film.
Netflix spokespersons responded by saying the allegations are without merit and that the company would "vigorously defend the case."
Netflix denies, band alleges
In its response to the trademark lawsuit, Netflix called the claims "without merit" and said it had created an Academy Award-winning global phenomenon with "KPop Demon Hunters."
The band’s filings describe a marketplace overlap, alleging Netflix and Netflix Studios "have no license or rights to the 'marks'" and were never authorized to use the Demon Hunter trademarks.
Demon Hunter also says the film’s popularity has pushed its own listings and merchandise lower in search results, with Hyde Lane arguing that adding “KPop” does not remove the likelihood of confusion.
CNN reported that the lawsuit was filed by Hyde Lane in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and it quoted Netflix rejecting the allegations as lacking foundation.
The dispute is tied to a world tour partnership, with CNN saying Netflix announced it would associate with AEG for a global concert tour of “KPop Demon Hunters” launching in 2027.
What’s at stake next
Hyde Lane’s lawsuit asks the court to stop Netflix from marketing recorded music, live shows or merchandise under the “KPop Demon Hunters” name, and it seeks profits Netflix made from the film plus other unspecified damages.
“Netflix anunció que se asociará con AEG para una gira mundial”
The complaint also seeks restitution and treble damages, and it asks for an order judicial that would prevent the defendants from using the name “KPop Demon Hunters” in relation to music, products and live shows.
CNN en Español reported that Demon Hunter requested a judicial order to block the name’s use and also sought compensation for unspecified damages and a jury trial.
The band’s filing frames the stakes as brand control, arguing that the defendants’ “size and power” obscures the identity created by Hyde Lane and leads consumers to perceive Hyde Lane as an affiliate, sponsor, or derivative of the defendants.
Netflix, for its part, told CNN that “KPop Demon Hunters” has accumulated more than 600 million visualizations since its June 2025 release and that the film remained 52 weeks consecutively in the Top 10 worldwide on Netflix.