Netflix Sued by Christian Metal Band Over ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Tour

Christian metal band Demon Hunter has sued Netflix and concert promoter AEG Presents in a California federal court, alleging that an upcoming concert tour based on the streaming platform’s hit film KPop Demon Hunters infringes its trademarks.

 

The band said in a lawsuit that the recent announcement of a tour based on Netflix’s hit animated film had created consumer confusion and threatened to “eclipse” its brand.

 

“Simply put, Netflix is no more entitled to use the mark KPOP DEMON HUNTERS than it would be to launch a recording artist, live touring show and merchandise under the marks KPOP METALLICA, KPOP U2 or KPOP BLACK SABBATH,” the lawsuit said.

 

Netflix responded in a statement on Wednesday, saying the allegations were “without merit”. “We look forward to vigorously defending this matter,” Netflix said.

 

Demon Hunter was formed in Seattle in 2000. The band released its most recent album last year and is due to embark on a US tour in October.

 

Netflix released KPop Demon Hunters, an animated film about a Korean K-pop group that secretly fights demons, in June 2025. According to Netflix, it became the streaming platform’s most-watched film ever and won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Netflix announced a partnership with AEG in May for a tour based on the film.

 

Demon Hunter’s lawsuit said the defendants’ ventures were likely to cause confusion and drown the band out of the marketplace. The band said it had already received a refund request from a parent who accidentally bought tickets to one of its concerts instead of the KPop Demon Hunters tour. It also said it had received an email from an Inside Edition producer seeking an interview with one of the film’s songwriters.

 

“As a result of Defendants’ willful misconduct,” the band “now faces an existential crisis, thereby necessitating the filing of this action”, it said in the complaint.

 

Demon Hunter asked the court to block the use of “KPop Demon Hunters” in connection with music or merchandise or to promote live concerts. It is also seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages.

 

The case is Hyde Lane Inc. d/b/a Demon Hunter v. Netflix Inc., US District Court for the Central District of California, No. 2:26-cv-09191.