BTS' latest hit Swim is facing a copyright dispute after three songwriters accused the track of copying key elements from their unreleased demo. The lawsuit has quickly caught attention online, not only because of the claims themselves but also because of when the legal action was announced.
The song became a major success for BTS, debuting at No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as the lead single from their album ARIRANG.
BTS members are not personally named in the lawsuit, despite the group being at the centre of the discussion. Instead, the case has been filed against their agency HYBE and related companies.
HYBE Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over Swim
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, 8 July, by songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson. The trio claims BTS' Swim shares significant similarities with their own song of the same title, which they say was created before the K-pop group's track was released.
According to the complaint obtained by Billboard, the songwriters believe the BTS version contains similarities in several areas, including the song's hook, harmonies, textures, rhythm and lyrical elements.
The lawsuit names HYBE, HYBE America and Big Hit Music Co as defendants, and not BTS. It also includes members of the song's creative team, including Ryan Tedder, the Grammy-winning songwriter and OneRepublic member who has worked with major artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Adele.
A major part of any copyright case is proving that the accused creators had access to the original material. The songwriters claim they shared their demo with industry contacts in March 2025, including people connected to Artist Publishing Group (APG). They allege the demo was heard by individuals linked to the eventual creation of BTS' Swim.
The plaintiffs also hired musicologist Alexander Stewart to examine both songs. Their legal filing states that his analysis found similarities that he believed could not be explained by coincidence.
These claims have yet to be tested in court, and HYBE and the other defendants are expected to respond.
Fans Question Why Lawsuit Came Months Later
While the legal battle is still in its early stages, much of the online conversation has focused on the timing of the lawsuit.
Some BTS fans have questioned why the songwriters waited months after Swim was released before filing the case. Many pointed out that if they believed copyright infringement had occurred, they could have raised concerns earlier.
The fans also speculated that the timing could be linked to the upcoming 2027 Grammy season, as nominations are expected to be announced in November 2026.
One fan wrote on social media: 'Grammys are near that's why this s*** came after 4 f**** damn months. Just to defame it.'
Another asked: 'Why suddenly? They can claim it from the day 1... but why now?'
Other comments took a more sarcastic tone, with one post saying: 'Release was more than 3 months ago... took a very long time to recognise your 'own' stuff.'
Swim Remains a Major BTS Comeback Moment
Despite the legal challenge, Swim remains a major milestone for BTS. Released on 20 March 2026 as part of their comeback album ARIRANG, the track marked one of the group's first new releases after all seven members completed their mandatory military service and reunited as a full group.
The song's performance and the global response to ARIRANG have highlighted BTS' continued influence in the international music scene after their nearly four-year group hiatus.
Now, the lawsuit involves HYBE and the song's creators, but not the BTS members themselves. As the case develops, attention will turn to whether the copyright claims can be supported with sufficient evidence.
