Netflix is refusing to back down in a fight over its megahit franchise, KPop Demon Hunters, which is the subject of a trademark infringement case filed by Christian metal band Demon Hunter.
On August 18, Demon Hunter’s corporate entity, Hyde Lane, slapped Netflix, Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents with a lawsuit bearing accusations of unauthorised name imitation and unfair competition over the blockbuster animated K-pop film.
Filed in the United States District Court in California, the lawsuit stipulates that Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters has started to eclipse Demon Hunter’s brand and overlap with Hyde Lane’s businesses as the film evolves from being a kid-friendly animation into a major entertainment marque.
‘Without merit’
In a press statement carried by CNN on August 21, Netflix rejected Hyde Lane’s accusations as “without merit”, insisting on the company’s will to face the complainant in court.
“Netflix has created an Academy Award–winning global phenomenon with KPop Demon Hunters that has inspired fans around the world with its powerful music, storytelling and characters,” the American streaming giant said.
“We look forward to vigorously defending this matter.”
The musical-fantasy animation is the most-watched Netflix film of all time, amassing more than 600 million views since its debut in June 2025.
Its phenomenal hit song “Golden” has smashed global charts, earning an Oscar, a Grammy and an eight-week run at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it “the longest-leading hit by an animated act in the chart’s 67-year history”.
Concert tour
Amid the franchise’s relentless popularity, Netflix does not shy away from capitalising on it.
In May, the platform announced a global, live-concert tour inspired by KPop Demon Hunters in a major partnership with AEG Presents.
Through a press release, official companion site Netflix Tudum characterised the upcoming musical gig as “a live experience that will bring elements of the two-time Oscar-winning film to life in spectacular ways”.
It said details regarding dates, ticket sales and host cities will be announced later this year.
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Wrong tickets
Netflix’s announcement of the concert tour has now taken up pages in Hyde Lane’s lawsuit.
The complainant argues that the plan would expand the KPop Demon Hunters franchise into the same live-entertainment space where the band Demon Hunter has operated for decades.
It then cites several examples of confusion among consumers, including a parent who accidentally bought tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in New York in May believing they were for a KPop Demon Hunters show, resulting in a refund request.
In another incident mentioned in the lawsuit, a television show producer reached out to the band in March to ask for an interview with a songwriter associated with the animated film.
Taking the aforementioned events into account, Hyde Lyne asks the US District Court to issue an order preventing Netflix, Netflix Studios and AEG Presents from using the KPop Demon Hunters name in music, merchandise and live entertainment.
The complainant also seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.
Demon Hunter has been thriving in the live-entertainment industry since 2000, with origins in Seattle.
Its line-up features Ryan Clark, Jon Dunn, Timothy Watts, Patrick Judge and Jeremiah Scott.
According to their website, the band has an upcoming concert tour that will kick off in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 7.
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