Christian metal band Demon Hunter has sued Netflix and concert promoter AEG Presents, claiming the use of the name "KPop Demon Hunters" for music, merchandise, and an upcoming live tour infringes the band's trademark and is creating confusion among consumers.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by Hyde Lane Inc., the company behind Demon Hunter, accuses Netflix and AEG of trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band claims Netflix's enormous reach has overwhelmed a name Demon Hunter has spent more than two decades establishing in the music industry.
Demon Hunter's attorneys argue the problem has become more significant as Netflix expands "KPop Demon Hunters" beyond the animated film. Netflix announced a partnership with AEG in May for a global concert tour based on the movie, while the franchise has also expanded into recorded music and merchandise.
The band says the alleged confusion is already happening. According to the complaint, a parent spent about $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in New York believing they were for a "KPop Demon Hunters" show and later sought a refund. The filing also cites an inquiry from an "Inside Edition" producer who contacted Demon Hunter's representatives while apparently seeking someone associated with the Netflix film.
Demon Hunter was formed in Seattle in 2000 and has released music and toured under the name for roughly 25 years. Its company registered the Demon Hunter trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has sought additional protection for live music services. Netflix has separately registered "KPop Demon Hunters" for several merchandise uses.
The band's claims rely in part on a trademark theory known as reverse confusion. Traditional trademark cases often involve a newer or smaller business using a name associated with an established brand. Reverse confusion works in the opposite direction: a smaller, earlier trademark holder claims a much larger company has used a similar mark so extensively that consumers begin to assume the smaller business is connected to the larger one.
Demon Hunter argues that Netflix's success has created that situation. The band claims the scale of the "KPop Demon Hunters" franchise threatens to eclipse its own identity and could cause consumers to believe Demon Hunter is affiliated with, sponsored by or derived from the Netflix property rather than an independently established band.
"KPop Demon Hunters," released in June 2025, became Netflix's most-watched film and surpassed 500 million views. The animated musical later won Academy Awards for best animated feature and best original song for "Golden," while its soundtrack became a major commercial success.
Demon Hunter is asking the court to block Netflix and AEG from using the "KPop Demon Hunters" name in connection with recorded music, live performances and merchandise, along with unspecified monetary damages.
Netflix and AEG had not publicly responded to the allegations when the lawsuit was reported Wednesday.
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