The trademark complaint
Seattle-based Christian metal band Demon Hunter, operating through its corporate entity Hyde Lane Inc., filed suit on Tuesday against Netflix, Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint, captioned Hyde Lane Inc d/b/a Demon Hunter v. Netflix Inc, No. 2:26-cv-09191, alleges trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition tied to Netflix's animated property "KPop Demon Hunters." Filed nearly two months after the film's June 2025 release, the lawsuit targets the streaming service's use of the mark on music, merchandise and live concert promotion.
Allegations of consumer confusion
The band argues that the mark "KPop Demon Hunters" improperly overlaps with its own long-standing "Demon Hunter" identity, which it has used in music, touring and merchandise since forming in Seattle in 2000. The complaint compares Netflix's use of the title to launching artists under names such as "KPOP METALLICA," "KPOP U2" or "KPOP BLACK SABBATH." According to the filing, a parent who mistakenly bought tickets to a Demon Hunter concert believing it was tied to the Netflix property has already requested a refund, and the band received an email from an Inside Edition producer seeking an interview with one of the movie's songwriters. The complaint describes the alleged misconduct as creating an "existential crisis" for the band and asks the court to block use of the contested mark on music, merchandise or live concerts, alongside an unspecified monetary award.
Netflix and AEG response
Netflix characterized the allegations as "without merit" in a statement and said it intends to "vigorously defend" the matter. AEG Presents is named as a co-defendant because of the tour partnership Netflix announced with the promoter in May. Demon Hunter's attorney, John Tehranian of One LLP, declined to comment on the litigation.
Background on the disputed franchise
"KPop Demon Hunters," an animated film about a Korean pop group that secretly battles demons, became Netflix's most-watched film and won Academy Awards for best animated feature and best song. The film has spawned a toy line, with figures from the property shown at Mattel's New York Toy Fair booth in February. Netflix's planned arena tour, built around the movie and operated with AEG, is the specific expansion the band says threatens to "eclipse" its brand.
The band behind the claim
Demon Hunter released its most recent album last year and is preparing a U.S. tour that is scheduled to begin in October. The band argues that its two-decade history of operating in the same sectors now occupied by the Netflix franchise gives it priority over the contested marks and heightens the risk of confusion as the animated property expands commercially.
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