Demon Hunter Metal Band Sues Netflix Over KPop Demon Hunters Trademark

Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a trademark lawsuit against Netflix in the United States, claiming that the streamer’s animated hit Kpop Demon Hunters creates an almost complete overlap with their quarter-century music catalog and merchandise offerings, according to reporting by the BBC. The five-piece heavy metal band argues that Netflix’s plans for a global concert tour, alongside the film and extensive merchandise, have caused substantial consumer confusion since the release of the animated project, which originated in 2025 and follows the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/X. Trademark Filings and Legal Claims

According to the legal filing cited by the BBC, the band’s company registered Demon Hunter as a trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022, and has since applied for a trademark covering live music performances. Netflix, meanwhile, has registered Kpop Demon Hunters for various merchandise categories while keeping other applications pending with intellectual property authorities. The metal band’s legal team stated in the complaint that The brand that Hyde Lane has carefully built over the course of the past quarter century now faces an existential crisis, thereby necessitating the filing of this action and the granting of the requested relief from this Court. Demon Hunter has asked the court to block Netflix from using the Kpop Demon Hunters title for recorded music, live entertainment shows, and merchandise, while also seeking unspecified monetary damages. Scale and Audience Discrepancies

The lawsuit highlights a stark contrast in audience size and streaming numbers between the two entities. Demon Hunter, formed in Seattle, has been releasing heavy metal music and touring for 25 years, releasing their 12th studio album in September 2025. The band currently maintains approximately 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. In sharp contrast, the cast and music associated with Netflix’s animated feature boast 27 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Kpop Demon Hunters has grown into the most-watched original title in Netflix history, securing major accolades including best animated film and best original song for the track Golden at the 2026 Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Netflix is currently developing a sequel, along with potential follow-up projects such as a television series and a stage musical, with a global live concert tour anticipated to kick off in 2027. Evidence of Consumer Confusion

To support claims of market confusion, the plaintiffs’ legal filing outlines several instances where industry professionals and ticket buyers mixed up the heavy metal group with the Netflix animated property. The complaint includes email documentation from a consumer who reportedly spent $500 on tickets for a Demon Hunter concert in New York under the mistaken belief that it was a child-friendly K-pop performance intended for young children. Additional examples provided in the lawsuit include a television producer who contacted the band’s management believing they were affiliated with the Netflix production, alongside public social media posts that mistakenly tagged the metal band when discussing the streaming film. Representatives for the BBC have reached out to Demon Hunter, Netflix, and AEG Presents for comment regarding the ongoing litigation.