Demon Hunter sue Netflix and AEG over "Kpop Demon Hunters" name

Demon Hunter have filed a lawsuit against Netflix, Netflix Studios and AEG Presents over the name of the animated film Kpop Demon Hunters. The complaint was filed in California on Aug. 18 and alleges trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition tied to a band name in use for more than 25 years.

As reported by Complex, Hyde Lane, the company behind the band, argues that the global concert tour announced in May by Netflix and AEG Presents created an almost complete overlap with Demon Hunter's own business, confusing music fans. No dates for that tour have been confirmed.

The filing points to a specific incident: someone emailed the band after spending $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter show in Albany, New York, believing the tickets were for a Kpop Demon Hunters event they planned to attend with their 5- and 6-year-old daughters. The buyer asked for a refund or credit, saying they could not purchase the intended tickets otherwise.

The complaint describes the defendants as companies that aggressively defend their own intellectual property while disregarding the rights of others. Hyde Lane has requested a jury trial, punitive damages and an order barring Netflix from continuing to use the Kpop Demon Hunters name.

The 2025 film became Netflix's most-watched movie ever, drawing more than 236 million views in two months, topping the North American box office after a theatrical singalong version and eventually sending its soundtrack to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Demon Hunter, formed in 2000, have released 13 albums, most recently last year's There Was a Light Here, and resume North American touring in October.