Three songwriters have filed a copyright lawsuit against BTS's label HYBE and several credited writers, alleging that the group's chart-topping single "Swim" copied significant elements from an unpublished demo they created before the song's release. The complaint, filed on July 8 in a U.S. federal court, names HYBE, HYBE America, Big Hit Music, and multiple songwriters as defendants, but does not list BTS or its individual members as parties.
Songwriters Allege Substantial Similarities
Songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson claim that "Swim," released earlier this year as the lead single from BTS's album ARIRANG, bears striking resemblances to their own composition of the same name. In the complaint, they assert that after repeated listening, they reached what they describe as an "obvious and inescapable conclusion" that their original work had been copied "in very large part." The plaintiffs seek damages for copyright infringement, arguing that distinctive musical and lyrical elements from their demo were reproduced in the commercially released version.
Access and Distribution Allegations
A central issue in any copyright case is whether the defendants had access to the earlier work. According to the lawsuit, Cooper, Sandler, and Johnson began circulating their demo in March 2025 to music industry contacts in hopes of securing opportunities. The complaint alleges that the demo was shared with executives at Artist Publishing Group, who reportedly listened to the recording and distributed it to others, including individuals who later became involved in writing BTS's "Swim." These allegations have not been proven in court.
Expert Analysis Points to Copying
To support their case, the plaintiffs hired musicologist Alexander Stewart to conduct a comparative analysis of both recordings. Quoted extensively in the complaint, Stewart's report identifies similarities in the song's central hook, harmonies, textures, rhythmic structure, and lyrical elements. He concludes that the combination of these similarities makes independent creation unlikely and copying the most probable explanation. Stewart has previously served as an expert witness in high-profile copyright cases, including Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," both of which resulted in rulings for the defendants.
Failed Settlement Attempts
The complaint states that the three songwriters attempted to resolve the matter privately before filing the lawsuit. According to the filing, their representatives contacted HYBE, but discussions did not lead to an agreement. The case now proceeds to court, where the plaintiffs will need to prove both access and substantial similarity to prevail.
