BigHit Music has denied allegations that BTS’ latest song, Swimfrom the group’s new album Arirang, copied an unreleased track by three American songwriters. The agency responded after a copyright lawsuit was filed in the United States, saying the claims are baseless and that it will defend the song through legal action.
The lawsuit was filed by Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Greylyn Johnson, who allege that BTS’ chart-topping single is similar to their own unreleased demo, also titled Swim. According to Billboard, the complaint names Hybe, Hybe America, BigHit Music and the song’s credited writers, including former OneRepublic member Ryan Tedder, as defendants. BTS members have not been named in the lawsuit, although RM is mentioned as one of the song’s contributing writers.
According to the lawsuit, the three songwriters began sending their demo to people in the music industry in March last year, including executives at Artist Publishing Group. They allege that representatives from the independent label ‘listened to the demo and shared it with others’ who were later involved in the making of BTS’ Swim.
As part of their case, the plaintiffs asked musicologist Alexander Stewart to compare the two songs. The complaint says he found similarities in ‘the hook referencing the title, unusual harmonies, textures, and rhythmic and lyrical elements’. In his report, according to court documents, Stewart said, ‘In my expert opinion, independent creation of BTS can be ruled out and copying is the inescapable conclusion.’ Stewart has previously worked as an expert witness in copyright cases involving Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. Both cases were later dismissed by the courts.
Responding to the lawsuit on Friday, BigHit Music rejected the allegations and said the complaint presents only the plaintiffs’ side. ‘This lawsuit represents nothing more than a one-sided argument put forward by the plaintiffs,’ the agency said in a statement shared with Yonhap. ‘We make it unequivocally clear that Swim was created independently and originally.’ The agency added that it was prepared to defend itself in court, saying, ‘We will respond forcefully through proper legal channels going forward.’
Swim is the lead single from BTS’ fifth studio album Arirang. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts earlier this year and has seen global success since its release. The dispute comes as BTS prepare to headline the half-time show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in North America on July 19, where they are set to perform alongside Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira.
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