Big Hit Music Denies Copyright Allegations Over BTS Song ‘Swim’

Staff Report: PNN

A copyright controversy has emerged surrounding BTS’s new song “Swim.” However, the group’s management company Big Hit Music has strongly rejected allegations of plagiarism after three US songwriters filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement.

In a statement issued Friday, Big Hit Music said the allegations regarding “Swim” are one-sided and without basis. The company claimed that the song was created independently and that it would respond to the allegations through legal procedures.

The statement said, “The claims raised in the lawsuit have no basis. ‘Swim’ is an original creation. We will firmly address this matter through the appropriate legal process.”

On July 8, three US songwriters — Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson — filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in a US court. They alleged that they created and recorded a demo song titled “Swim” in early 2025, and that BTS’s new album’s title track was created using the melody and structure of their song.

According to court documents, while BTS was working on its album in Los Angeles in 2025, the group listened to new songs from various songwriters and producers. The plaintiffs claim that their demo song was shared with different people in the music industry during that period.

The plaintiffs said their song was registered with the US Copyright Office and that significant similarities were found between their song and BTS’s “Swim.”

The lawsuit also referenced a report by music analyst Alexander Stewart, who claimed that certain similarities between the two songs were unlikely to be purely coincidental.

However, Big Hit Music has denied the allegations.

The lawsuit names BTS’s management company HYBE, HYBE America, Big Hit Music and several songwriters and producers connected to “Swim” as defendants. However, no direct allegations have been filed against BTS members themselves.

The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction preventing the use of “Swim,” financial compensation and a share of revenue earned from the song. They have also requested recognition as co-writers of the track as an alternative remedy.

Meanwhile, despite the copyright dispute, “Swim” has received major international success. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while BTS’s album “Arirang” also topped the Billboard 200 chart.

This is reportedly the third copyright lawsuit filed against HYBE in recent times. However, Big Hit Music has maintained that it will respond legally to all such allegations.