Christian metal outfit Demon Hunter has filed a trademark lawsuit against Netflix, claiming the streamer's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" bears a name too similar to the band's, leading to "significant confusion" among audiences and in the marketplace.
Legal documents obtained by BBC News reveal the Seattle-based band, formed in 2000, asserts that their musical identity, cultivated over more than 25 years, faces an "existential crisis" due to the global phenomenon of "KPop Demon Hunters" and its fictional girl group, Huntr/X. The lawsuit further highlights concerns that Netflix's plans for a global K-Pop concert tour could exacerbate the naming confusion.
In the lawsuit, Demon Hunter provided examples of the alleged confusion, including one instance where a "KPop Demon Hunters" fan reportedly spent $500 on tickets for a band performance, only to arrive and discover it was a metal concert, not the family-friendly animated event they anticipated. Further instances of alleged confusion include the band being erroneously tagged in K-Pop discussions and a TV producer reaching out, mistakenly believing Demon Hunter was affiliated with the Netflix project.
To date, Demon Hunter has released 13 albums, featuring tracks such as "My Throat Is an Open Grave," "Dead Flowers," and "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck." In contrast, "KPop Demon Hunters" found fame with songs like "Golden," "Takedown," and "Soda Pop."
Since its 2025 debut, "KPop Demon Hunters" has soared to become Netflix's most-watched original production ever, garnering both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. A sequel is currently in active development.
Demon Hunter is petitioning the court to bar Netflix from using the "KPop Demon Hunters" name on recorded music, live performances, and merchandise, in addition to seeking unspecified monetary damages.
via： BBC