BTS ‘Swim’ Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over Demo Claims on July 8

Three Los Angeles songwriters filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against HYBE and the credited writers of BTS’s hit single ‘Swim’ on July 8 in US District Court for the Central District of California. Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson allege that the track, released in March 2026 as the lead single from BTS’s album Arirang, copied substantial elements of a demo they completed in March 2025. The case centers on whether defendants had access to the original composition.

The allegations and access claim

The three songwriters say they sent their ‘Swim’ demo to industry contacts starting in March 2025 to gauge interest. According to the complaint, Artist Publishing Group (APG) representatives listened to the demo and shared it with others, including Derrick Milano, a songwriter credited on BTS’s version. A listening report from the music-sharing platform Disco.ac, attached as evidence, shows the demo was played by APG reps. The plaintiffs also sent the recording to Noreen Prunier-Winans, described as head of A&R and publishing at ATG Group, who allegedly shared it with other songwriters and producers.

Expert analysis and the musicologist’s findings

In April 2026, after the BTS track was released, the three songwriters hired musicologist Alexander Stewart to compare the two songs. Stewart concluded that BTS’s ‘Swim’ contained substantial similarities in the title hook, harmony, texture, rhythm and lyrics, and that independent creation could be ruled out. The complaint quotes Stewart’s preliminary report stating that copying is “the inescapable conclusion.” The plaintiffs registered their composition with the US Copyright Office before filing suit.

HYBE and defendants deny infringement

Big Hit Music, HYBE’s subsidiary and BTS’s label, rejected the allegations on July 10. The agency stated that ‘Swim’ is “an independent creation” and that “the allegations in the lawsuit are unilateral and unsubstantiated.” Big Hit Music said it will “respond firmly through the appropriate legal process.” The lawsuit names HYBE Co., HYBE America, Big Hit Music, and credited co-writers including Ryan Tedder, Derrick Milano and James Essien. BTS members are not named as defendants, nor are RM and producer Pdogg, both of whom participated in writing the track.

What the plaintiffs are seeking

The three songwriters are asking the court for an injunction to bar further exploitation of ‘Swim,’ plus damages and disgorgement of profits. Alternatively, they are seeking recognition as co-writers of the BTS track. Proving access to the original work is a key requirement in copyright cases; recent high-profile suits against Dua Lipa and Anitta were rejected on access grounds. The case is proceeding in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Final Thoughts

The lawsuit tests whether HYBE and its co-writers had access to the original demo, a critical hurdle in copyright claims. HYBE’s denial and commitment to fight in court signals a protracted legal battle over one of BTS’s biggest hits.

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