A legal battle is brewing between Christian heavy metal band Demon Hunter and streaming giant Netflix over alleged trademark infringement related to Netflix’s popular movie, “KPop Demon Hunters.” In a lawsuit filed in a California court, Demon Hunter’s parent company, Hyde Lane Inc., claims that the film’s title is too similar to their trademarked name.

Demon Hunter, founded by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark in 2000 in Seattle, has a significant musical history with 13 albums and a substantial fan base. Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” released in June 2025, has garnered massive viewership, becoming Netflix’s most-watched movie with over 325.1 million views by March.

The lawsuit alleges that since the movie’s release, there have been instances of confusion between the band Demon Hunter and the movie “KPop Demon Hunters.” Complaints include a mistaken ticket purchase for a concert and a mix-up involving an Academy Award-winning songwriter featured in the movie.

The legal representatives of Demon Hunter have expressed concerns over the potential damage to the band’s brand caused by the alleged trademark infringement. While the band’s lawyer, John Tehranian, declined to comment, Netflix has vowed to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the claims are baseless.

Netflix defended its position, emphasizing the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” and its commitment to defending against the allegations. The legal dispute underscores the challenges posed by the intersection of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry.