The Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against Netflix. They allege the streaming giant infringed on their trademark with the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. The band argues that the title overlaps with their brand, causing confusion for consumers across music streaming, merchandise, and live events.
The lawsuit asserts that Netflix is as likely to confuse fans as if it had launched a project under the names KPop Metallica or KPop U2. Attorneys for the band claim the use of the name is harming their established identity. They seek to prevent Netflix from using the name in future music releases, merchandise, and tours. The band also reports instances where parents purchased concert tickets for their children under the mistaken belief they were attending a live KPop event.
Demon Hunter has held trademarks for their name since 2001. Although their registration lapsed temporarily in early 2025, they refiled the application in December of that same year. They claim they are the senior user and have priority in the marketplace. The legal filing points to search results on ticket platforms and engines where the two brands appear together, further complicating the issue for their fanbase.
Netflix maintains that these allegations are without merit. A representative for the company stated that their production is a global, award-winning phenomenon and that they intend to defend against the claims. The film, which features Academy Award-winning music, has accumulated over 10 billion streams and remains a primary focus of Netflix’s current content strategy.
At the core of the dispute is the concept of reverse confusion. The band claims their own fans are disappointed when they encounter the Netflix brand instead of the music they expect. With both parties firm in their positions, the matter now heads toward a legal resolution to determine if the title KPop Demon Hunters constitutes trademark infringement.