BTS sued in U.S. over alleged copyright infringement in song 'Swim'

K-pop sensation BTS faces a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States, with allegations that their song 'Swim' improperly used elements from an unreleased demo.

Songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graelin Johnson filed the suit on March 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against HYBE, Big Hit Music, and the "Swim" songwriting team. They assert that the song, from BTS's fifth full album 'Arirang,' lifted key components from their demo without authorization.

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The lawsuit claims that BTS's 'Swim' took core elements from their unreleased demo and used them without permission.

According to court documents obtained by Music Business Worldwide, the songwriters began working on 'Swim' in early 2025 and completed demo recordings by March of that year. They then shared the track with industry contacts, including representatives from Artist Publishing Group (APG), who allegedly heard it via the music-sharing platform Disco. The plaintiffs suggest the demo may have passed through APG to the "Swim" co-writers involved in BTS's production.

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The demo was sent to various music industry contacts, and representatives from Artist Publishing Group (APG) heard it through the music-sharing platform Disco.

The lawsuit names HYBE, HYBE America, and Big Hit Music as defendants, along with co-writers Derek Milano, James Essien, and Ryan Tedder. Notably, BTS members and producer Pdogg, who also participated in the songwriting, are not listed as defendants.

An preliminary report from musicologist Alexander Stewart, cited in the lawsuit, indicates that the similarities between the two songs make it difficult to consider them independently created, suggesting a possibility that one song referenced the other. The plaintiffs are requesting an injunction to prevent further use of 'Swim,' along with damages and profit returns. Alternatively, they seek to be recognized as co-writers and receive a share of the royalties.

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The preliminary report states that the similarities between the two songs make it difficult to consider them independently created, and it is difficult to rule out the possibility that one song referenced the other.