BTS lawsuit for ‘Swim’ takes shocking turn after copyright claims

A legal challenge over BTS’ chart-topping hit Swim has reached its conclusion.

The lawsuit, which was launched in July against the group’s label and several writers credited on the song, alleged the K-pop stars’ comeback single borrowed elements from an unreleased demo carrying the same title.

However, the three writers who brought the claim have now requested that the case be dismissed in full, according to Billboard.

Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson originally alleged that their version of Swim, finished in March 2025, bore significant similarities to the BTS track, which was released a year later as the lead single from the band’s album ARIRANG.

The writers claimed their demo had been shared with contacts across the music business before BTS recorded the song, and argued it may have reached members of the creative team behind the chart-topping release.

Their complaint also referenced the findings of a forensic musicologist, who reportedly concluded there was evidence of copying between the two recordings.

HYBE, HYBE America, BIGHIT MUSIC and a number of songwriters associated with the track were targeted in the lawsuit, including OneRepublic front man Ryan Tedder.

However, the BTS members themselves were not named as defendants.

Swim became an instant success upon its release in March 2026, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

When the allegations first emerged, BIGHIT MUSIC rejected the claims and insisted the song had been developed independently.

“The allegations in the lawsuit are unilateral and unsubstantiated. SWIM is an independent creation. We will respond firmly through the appropriate legal process,” they said in their statement.

No reason has yet been given for the abrupt dismissal of the case, and it remains unclear whether the parties reached a settlement behind closed doors before the lawsuit was dropped.