Hyde Lane, Inc. dba Demon Hunter filed a complaint against Netflix, Netflix Studios, and AEG Presents in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case number listed on the public docket is 2:2026cv09191, and the complaint was filed on August 18, 2026.
The central issue is Hyde Lane’s claim that the two names overlap in music, merchandise, and live performances, creating consumer confusion. The plaintiff alleges federal trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and statutory and common-law unfair competition under California law, and has demanded a jury trial.
What Overlaps
Hyde Lane claims it has used the name Demon Hunter for an extended period in connection with sound recordings, printed materials, clothing, and live performances. According to public trademark records and the complaint, DEMON HUNTER was registered in connection with sound recordings on January 4, 2022, and the company is also listed as holding registrations related to printed materials and clothing.
Meanwhile, Netflix’s official page describes KPop Demon Hunters as an animated film released in 2025. The complaint alleges that Netflix and Netflix Studios used the name for a soundtrack and merchandise, and that they planned a global concert tour of approximately 150 cities with AEG Presents.
The filing of the lawsuit and the examples of confusion presented by the plaintiff have been confirmed, but the court has not found trademark infringement or consumer confusion.
Examples of Confusion in the Complaint
The complaint includes an email describing a consumer who allegedly spent approximately $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter performance in Albany, New York, after mistaking it for a KPop Demon Hunters show. Hyde Lane argues that the overlapping areas of use make it highly likely that consumers will mistake the two brands as affiliated, sponsored, or approved by one another, and claims that actual confusion has occurred.
However, this example is evidence submitted by the plaintiff in the complaint. The extent of any actual confusion and the amount of damages have not been determined by the court.
Netflix’s Response and the Current Proceedings
A Netflix spokesperson said the claims were baseless and that the company would vigorously defend the lawsuit. AEG Presents did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment as of the August 18, 2026, reporting date.
Hyde Lane is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction against the relevant uses, Netflix’s related profits, damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. Trademark applications related to KPOP DEMON HUNTERS were filed under the name Netflix Studios in July and August 2025, and some records were listed as being at the public opposition stage in early 2026. The application status and the scope of any registrations should be considered separately.
At present, what has been confirmed is the filing of the complaint and the positions of both sides. No subsequent answer or judgment has been identified on the public docket, so the case cannot be described as a confirmed finding of infringement or as a win or loss for Netflix.
Sources Reviewed
- [TheWrap report](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/public-policy-legal/band-demon-hunter-sues-netflix-aeg-over-kpop-demon-hunters-trademark/) — checked August 30, 2026
- [Los Angeles Times report](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-08-19/christian-band-demon-hunter-kpop-demon-hunters-trademark-lawsuit-netflix) — checked August 30, 2026
- [U.S. District Court for the Central District of California public docket](https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2026cv09191/1034554) — checked August 30, 2026
- [Official Netflix title page](https://www.netflix.com/title/81498621) — checked August 30, 2026
- [Public copy of the complaint](https://www.gerbenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CDCA-2-26-cv-09191-1.pdf?x60850=) — checked August 30, 2026
- [USPTO TTABVUE record](https://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-91305359-OPP-1.pdf) — checked August 30, 2026