Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a trademark lawsuit against Netflix over the streamer’s 2025 film and global concert tour titled KPop Demon Hunters, claiming the similar name has caused significant consumer confusion and threatened the band’s brand identity. The lawsuit, filed by Hyde Lane, the company representing the band, seeks to block Netflix from using the name for recorded music, live shows, and merchandise, while also seeking unspecified damages.

Trademark Overlap and Consumer Confusion

According to the complaint, Netflix’s use of the name KPop Demon Hunters has led to “almost complete overlap” with the goods and services offered by Demon Hunter, a five-piece metal band from Seattle with 25 years of experience. The band plays “aggressive yet emotionally stirring heavy metal,” and has released 12 albums, including their most recent in September 2025; they have 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

The lawsuit cites examples of real-world confusion, including an email from a fan who spent $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in New York, thinking it was a family-friendly KPop Demon Hunters show for their children. Another instance involved a television producer who contacted the band’s management under the impression that they were connected to the Netflix film — Social media posts also incorrectly tagged Demon Hunter when discussing the movie.

Concerns Over Brand Dilution and Market Presence

The legal filing argues that the KPop Demon Hunters brand is confusingly similar to Demon Hunter’s trademark and that the overlap could lead to fans attributing Netflix’s products to the band or vice versa. The complaint highlights that Netflix’s significantly larger market presence could cause fans to perceive Demon Hunter as being affiliated with or derived from the film.

Netflix also filed numerous trademark applications for merchandise related to its global concert tour, which is being in partnership with AEG Presents. The band’s lawsuit claims that despite being the senior user with decades of invested goodwill, Hyde Lane has effectively been pushed aside by a company with deeper pockets and a larger footprint.

Legal Demands and Industry Impact

Demon Hunter is asking the court to stop Netflix from using the KPop Demon Hunters name for recorded music, live shows, and merchandise. The band also seeks unspecified damages. The lawsuit states that the brand built by Hyde Lane over the past 25 years now faces an “existential crisis,” necessitating legal action and relief from the court.

The KPop Demon Hunters cast has 27 million monthly listeners on Spotify—far surpassing Demon Hunter’s 350,000; this disparity in reach and influence has further heightened the band’s concerns over brand dilution and market competition.