Three Songwriters Sue HYBE Over BTS Number One Hit "Swim"

BTS's chart-topping single "Swim" is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by three little-known songwriters who allege the track was copied from their unpublished demo. Billboard reported that Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson sued HYBE, the K-pop group's label, on July 8, claiming the similarities between the two songs are "obvious and inescapable."

BillboardBTS Hit ‘Swim’ Faces Copyright Lawsuit Claiming it Was Stolen From Demo: ‘Obvious and Inescapable’

"obvious and inescapable"

The lawsuit, first reported by billboard.com, asserts that key elements of the demo were unlawfully taken and that the BTS hit was "copied in very large part" from their earlier work. That allegation, reported by Billboard, sets the stage for a high-profile intellectual property battle involving one of the biggest acts in music.

"copied in very large part"

The case carries significant weight because "Swim" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a commercial juggernaut. According to billboard.com, the song's massive success has turned what might have been a niche dispute into a closely watched legal fight that could affect how similar claims are evaluated in the K-pop industry.

HYBE has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, but the songwriters are seeking damages and an injunction. The outcome may hinge on whether a court finds that the similarities go beyond coincidence, a question that will likely draw attention from both music publishers and fans of the group.