{
  "id": 2266902,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Heavy metal band Demon Hunter sues Netflix over 'KPop Demon Hunters'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/showbiz-heavy-metal-band-demon-hunter-sues-netflix-over-kpop-demon",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T00:45:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/08/1515701/showbiz-heavy-metal-band-demon-hunter-sues-netflix-over-kpop-demon"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "American Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a trademark lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix over the animated film Kpop Demon Hunters. Filed by the holding company Hyde Lane on Tuesday, the lawsuit names Netflix Studios and AEG Presents, alleging confusion in the marketplace. The Seattle-based five-piece band, active for 25 years with 12 studio albums, claims Netflix's global live concert tour and related projects overlap with their brand. Evidence includes a parent mistakenly paying $500 for a heavy metal show they thought was a K-pop event, and a TV producer confusing the band with the film. The complaint states that Demon Hunter's brand has been \"put into an existential crisis,\" necessitating legal action. Hyde Lane successfully registered the trademark for the band in 2022, with an application pending for live performances. Meanwhile, Netflix holds trademarks for Kpop Demon Hunters in merchandise, with several pending applications. The animated movie, released in 2025, has become Netflix's most-watched original title, winning major awards in 2026. Demon Hunter is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent Netflix from using \"KPop Demon Hunters\" in live shows, music, and merchandise.",
  "summary": "LOS ANGELES: American Christian heavy metal outfit Demon Hunter has launched a trademark lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix over its record-breaking animated feature, Kpop Demon Hunters.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Netflix sued by band Demon Hunter over ‘KPop Demon Hunters’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/netflix-sued-by-band-demon-hunter-over-kpop-demon-hunters",
        "published": "2026-08-20T00:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Netflix sued by band Demon Hunter over 'KPop Demon Hunters'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/netflix-sued-by-band-demon-hunter-over-kpop-demon-hunters-2104136",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:25:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Netflix sued by band Demon Hunter over KPop Demon Hunters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/netflix-sued-by-band-demon-hunter-over-kpop-demon-hunters",
        "published": "2026-08-21T00:08:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}