Demon Hunter, a metal band formed in 2000, is suing Netflix for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.

Christian metal band sues Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters

Demon Hunter, a metal band formed in 2000, is suing Netflix for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.

By Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino is a writer at *. *She has written for * *since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle.

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August 19, 2026 6:33 p.m. ET

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Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (Arden Cho), and Mira (May Hong) in ‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Credit:

- Christian metal band Demon Hunter is suing Netflix, Netflix Studios, and AEG Presents.

- The band alleges that the parties infringed on their trademark rights through the success of *KPop Demon Hunters*.

- Demon Hunter was established in 2000, and the lawsuit claims that the animated film is “annihilating” the band’s control over its identity.

Demon Hunter, a Christian metal band formed in 2000, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix over *KPop Demon Hunters*.

The band accused the streaming service of engaging in trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition in the complaint, which was obtained by **.

The lawsuit, which lists Netflix Studios and live events promoter AEG Presents as co-defendants, was filed by the band’s company Hyde Lane in federal court on Aug. 18. It claims that the success of *KPop Demon Hunters* has overtaken the recognition of the band’s name.

“Defendants’ greater size and strength overwhelms Hyde Lane’s established identity, causing consumers to perceive Hyde Lane as affiliated with, sponsored by, or derived from Defendants and denuding Hyde Lane of power over its commercial fate,” the lawsuit alleges.

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Netflix did not immediately respond to **’s request for comment.

Since its formation, Demon Hunter—which is currently made up of members Ryan Clark, Jon Dunn, Timothy “Yogi” Watts, Patrick Judge, and Jeremiah Scott—has had albums land on the *Billboard* 200, as well as the outlet’s Top Christian Albums chart.

Despite spending “decades establishing, cultivating and further investing” in their brand, they claim that *KPop Demon Hunters *is “annihilating [the band’s] control over its brand identity, goodwill and reputation.”

Ryan Clark of the band Demon Hunter performs during the 2019 Louder Than Life Music Festival.

Stephen J. Cohen/Getty

The band stated in the complaint that *KPop Demon Hunters* has an “almost complete overlap with the goods and services offered by Hyde Lane under the DEMON HUNTER mark.” In addition to the film, which won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars in March, there is *KPop Demon Hunters* merchandise, soundtrack, and upcoming world tour.

As a result, Demon Hunter is requesting the court provide injunctive relief, which would involve “destruction of all infringing materials in Netflix or Netflix Studios’ possession,” as well as damages and legal fees.

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Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, and Michelle Wong accept the Animated Feature Film for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’.

Kevin Winter/Getty

It’s unclear how this may impact the upcoming sequel to *KPop Demon Hunters*, which Netflix announced on March 12. Directing duo Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are returning for the highly anticipated second movie, with the former promising “this is only the beginning.”

“I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters,” Kang said in a statement. “There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you.”

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