Just months after dominating global charts with 'SWIM,' BTS has found itself in the middle of a legal battle in the United States. Three American songwriters have accused the group's chart-topping single of copying their unreleased demo, leading to a copyright infringement lawsuit against HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music and several credited songwriters.
On the contrary, BigHit Music has refuted the allegations and claimed that 'SWIM' is an authentic creation, despite the considerable online debate the accusations have generated.
What is the 'SWIM' lawsuit all about?
The dispute came to light on 10th July, when it was revealed that Steve Cooper, Jon (John) Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson have taken legal action by filing a copyright lawsuit in a US federal court. They claim that BTS' song 'SWIM,' the main track from their fifth album 'Arirang,' shares significant resemblances with an unreleased demo they had created with the same title.
The lawsuit states that the demo had been shared within the music business from March 2025 onwards, allowing various industry insiders to hear the track before BTS released their version.
The legal case includes HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music, and various songwriters credited on 'SWIM,' such as Ryan Tedder, as defendants. It's worth mentioning that none of the seven BTS members are defendants, despite RM (Kim Nam-joon) being recognized as one of the song's contributors.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and have asked the court to determine whether copyright infringement occurred.
Why Do the Songwriters Believe Their Work Was Copied?
As per legal documents, the three composers contend that the resemblances between the two tracks are too substantial to be accidental. To back up their assertions, they enlisted the expertise of music expert Alexander Stewart, whose analysis reportedly determined that aspects of BTS' 'SWIM' were "unequivocally taken" from the demo and characterized the likenesses as clearly apparent and impossible to ignore.
Stewart has previously appeared as an expert witness in major copyright cases involving Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' and Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven,' although juries ultimately rejected those infringement claims.
However, in both cases, the juries did not accept the claims of infringement. The legal case also states that the composers tried to settle the dispute in private before resorting to legal action, but they could not come to a resolution.
Even though the accusers claim that the proof backs their assertions, the court has not made a decision on the accusations yet, leaving them unconfirmed at this point.
BigHit Music's Response and What Happens Next
BigHit Music wasted little time responding to the lawsuit. In an official statement released on 10th July, the company dismissed the complaint, saying, "This lawsuit represents nothing more than a one-sided argument put forward by the plaintiffs."
The label further stated, "We make it unequivocally clear that 'SWIM' was created independently and originally," adding that it would "respond forcefully through proper legal channels."
The situation progresses to the American judicial system, where both parties will provide proof before any decisions are made. During this time, the accusations are still considered assertions rather than proven truths.
This disagreement arises during a significant period for BTS, with 'SWIM' dominating global music charts and acting as the main track from 'Arirang.'
Additionally, the group is getting ready for a prominent appearance at the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. As legal proceedings continue, the music industry will be watching closely to see how one of K-pop's biggest copyright disputes unfolds.
Also Read: Justin Bieber Added to Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show Lineup
