BTS Hit With US Copyright Lawsuit Over 'SWIM' Track

BTS is facing a new legal battle in the United States after three American songwriters filed a copyright lawsuit in California against HYBE and the songwriting team behind the group's single 'SWIM,' which appears on their March 2026 album ARIRANG.

The plaintiffs, identified as Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson, allege that 'SWIM' plagiarized elements of a demo track they wrote in 2025, and that the song's producing team, which includes hitmaker Ryan Tedder, appropriated substantial portions of their original composition without credit or compensation.

The lawsuit adds BTS and HYBE to a growing list of major K-pop acts and agencies contending with copyright disputes filed by American songwriters in recent months, a trend that has become increasingly common as global collaborations between Korean labels and Western hitmakers expand.

The Allegations

According to the filing, Cooper, Sandler, and Johnson claim that key melodic and structural elements of their 2025 demo were used in the creation of 'SWIM' without their knowledge or consent. The suit reportedly points to specific similarities in the song's hook and chord progression as evidence of the alleged copying, arguing that the demo had previously been shared with industry contacts connected to the producing team.

Ryan Tedder, a veteran songwriter and producer known for his work with major global pop acts, is named among the songwriting credits on 'SWIM' and is consequently implicated in the dispute, although the lawsuit is directed primarily at HYBE and Big Hit Music as the entities responsible for the song's commercial release and distribution.

HYBE's Response

Big Hit Music, the HYBE label subsidiary that manages BTS, has publicly dismissed the lawsuit as a one-sided claim and has indicated it intends to pursue strong legal action in response to what it characterizes as an unfounded allegation. The label's statement did not address the specific melodic similarities cited in the complaint, instead focusing on defending the integrity of the song's original creation process.

This is not the first time this year that a HYBE-affiliated release has faced plagiarism accusations from American songwriters, and industry observers say the pattern reflects the increasingly litigious environment around K-pop's growing reliance on international co-writers and producers, where the paper trail of who contributed what to a finished track can become legally contentious.

As of this report, no court date has been set, and both sides are expected to exchange further filings in the coming weeks. ARIRANG, the album featuring 'SWIM,' has already established itself as a significant commercial release for BTS since its March 2026 debut, and the ongoing legal dispute is unlikely to affect its streaming or sales performance in the near term.

A Broader Pattern in K-Pop Copyright Disputes

This case sits alongside a wider wave of copyright claims filed by American songwriters against major K-pop labels over the past year, as global co-writing credits and cross-border demo sharing have made it harder to trace the exact origin of a hit song's melody or hook. Legal experts following these cases note that proving direct copying, rather than coincidental similarity, remains a high bar in US courts, which could work in HYBE's favor if the case proceeds to trial.

For BTS specifically, the group has largely avoided major legal controversies of this kind during its career, making the SWIM lawsuit a notable first for the group's legacy. How HYBE chooses to handle the dispute, whether through an early settlement or a prolonged court fight, will likely set a precedent for how the agency approaches similar claims involving its other major acts in the future.

Fans, meanwhile, have largely rallied behind the group online, with many pointing to the commercial success of ARIRANG as evidence that the controversy has done little to dent the album's reception so far. Whether that sentiment holds if the case drags on remains to be seen, but for now the lawsuit exists mostly as a legal and industry story rather than one directly affecting BTS's public standing.

Quick Facts

• Song in Dispute: 'SWIM' from the album ARIRANG

• Filed By: Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, Greylyn Johnson

• Filed Against: HYBE, Big Hit Music, and the SWIM songwriting team including Ryan Tedder

• Filing Location: California, United States

• Allegation: Plagiarism of a 2025 demo track

• HYBE's Response: Dismissed as a one-sided claim, promising legal action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BTS being sued over?

Three American songwriters allege that BTS's track 'SWIM' from the ARIRANG album copied elements of a demo they wrote in 2025.

Is Ryan Tedder personally being sued?

Ryan Tedder is named among the songwriting credits at the center of the dispute, though the lawsuit targets HYBE and Big Hit Music as the primary defendants.

How has HYBE responded to the lawsuit?

Big Hit Music has called the claim one-sided and says it plans to pursue strong legal action in response.

Will the lawsuit affect ARIRANG's release or streaming?

There is no indication yet that the album's commercial performance will be affected while the legal proceedings continue.