Metal Band ‘Demon Hunter’ Sues Netflix, Claims Fans Mistook Them For ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

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Long-running American Christian heavy metal group Demon Hunter has launched a high-stakes trademark lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix

The group is alleging that the platform's record-breaking animated phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters, infringes on its established brand identity, according to the BBC.

The legal complaint, filed in a US federal court by the band's corporate entity, Hyde Lane, accuses Netflix Studios and live event promoter AEG Presents of causing widespread commercial confusion

The Seattle-based five-piece group, who have toured globally and released 12 studio albums over a 25-year career, claims the streamer's extensive rollout of merchandise, soundtrack releases, and an upcoming 2027 world tour creates an "almost complete overlap" with their intellectual property.

To illustrate the severity of the alleged brand confusion, lawyers representing the metal group presented several real-world examples in court documents

In one instance, a parent mistakenly spent USD500 (RM2,225) on concert tickets for a heavy metal performance in New York, falsely believing the event was a child-friendly show based on the animated film.

The filing also noted that television producers have repeatedly contacted the band's management under the mistaken impression that they were affiliated with the Netflix production, while social media users regularly tag the group in discussions about the movie.

The legal clash highlights a dramatic disparity in reach

While Demon Hunter commands a respectable following of 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify after releasing its latest album in September 2025, the fictional group Huntr/X from KPop Demon Hunters boasts over 27 million monthly listeners on the same platform.

The film has become the most-watched original title in Netflix history, sweeping major honours including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Golden at the 2026 Academy Awards and Golden Globes.

According to court records, Hyde Lane officially registered 'Demon Hunter' as a trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022, and currently has a pending application for live musical performances

Meanwhile, Netflix has secured trademarks for KPop Demon Hunters across various merchandise categories, with additional applications currently pending. Hyde Lane argues that its carefully cultivated brand faces an "existential crisis" unless judicial relief is granted.

Demon Hunter is seeking a permanent court injunction to prohibit Netflix and AEG Presents from using the name KPop Demon Hunters for live concerts, recorded audio, or physical merchandise, alongside unspecified monetary damages.