Key facts
- Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix and AEG Presents for trademark infringement.
- The lawsuit centers on Netflix's film "Kpop Demon Hunters," its merchandise, and a planned global concert tour.
- Demon Hunter alleges significant consumer confusion and an existential threat to their 25-year-old brand.
- The band's company, Hyde Lane, holds registered trademarks for "Demon Hunter" for recorded music and merchandise.
- Netflix has registered "Kpop Demon Hunters" trademarks for merchandise.
Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a trademark lawsuit against Netflix and live promoter AEG Presents, alleging that the streamer's popular film "Kpop Demon Hunters" and its associated ventures infringe on their brand. The band, which has been active for 25 years, claims that the film, merchandise, and a planned global concert tour create "almost complete overlap" with their own offerings, leading to significant consumer confusion.
Filed by the band's company, Hyde Lane, the complaint cites instances where consumers have mistakenly purchased tickets for Demon Hunter concerts, believing them to be related to the K-pop film. The lawsuit states that the brand Demon Hunter has carefully built over a quarter century now faces an "existential crisis." The band is seeking a court order to prevent Netflix from using the "Kpop Demon Hunters" name for recorded music, live shows, and merchandise, in addition to unspecified damages.
Hyde Lane registered "Demon Hunter" as a trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has applied for a trademark related to live music. Netflix has registered "Kpop Demon Hunters" for various merchandise uses, with additional applications pending. The "Kpop Demon Hunters" franchise, which began as a 2025 animated film, has become a global phenomenon for Netflix, boasting 27 million monthly listeners on Spotify for its cast and winning multiple awards.