A Christian metal band that has performed under the name Demon Hunter for more than 20 years is taking Netflix to court over its blockbuster animated film KPop Demon Hunters.
Hyde Lane, the company behind Demon Hunter, filed a lawsuit against Netflix, Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents on August 18th, accusing them of trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band claims Netflix’s use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” name across music, merchandise and an upcoming live tour has created widespread confusion among consumers.
The complaint points to one particularly costly mix-up: a customer allegedly spent $500 on premium tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in Albany, New York, believing they were for a family-friendly KPop Demon Hunters show. The buyer later requested a refund after realizing the mistake, saying they otherwise would not be able to afford tickets to the “actual” show.
The band also claims a television producer mistakenly contacted its management while trying to reach the team behind KPop Demon Hunters, while social media users have repeatedly tagged Demon Hunter in posts about the Netflix film.
Hyde Lane is asking the court to restrict Netflix from using the “KPop Demon Hunters” name for recorded music, live performances and merchandise, while also seeking damages and other financial relief. Netflix has called the allegations baseless and said it intends to defend itself.
Demon Hunter has been releasing music and touring since the early 2000s and holds federal trademark protection for its name. The lawsuit argues that the massive reach of Netflix’s franchise has increasingly pushed the two brands into overlapping territory.
KPop Demon Hunters debuted on Netflix in June 2025 and became the streamer’s most-watched film, turning its fictional K-pop groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys into chart successes in their own right. The film also won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.”
The dispute arrives as Netflix expands the franchise beyond the original movie. The streamer and AEG announced plans for a global KPop Demon Hunters concert tour earlier this year, a move Demon Hunter says brings Netflix even closer to the same live-music market in which the band has operated for decades.
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