A copyright infringement lawsuit targeting HYBE and its subsidiaries has emerged over BTS’s chart-topping single “Swim,” with three songwriters alleging the track was copied in large part from their unpublished demo. This case the growing legal risks for major labels when high-profile releases bear similarities to earlier, uncredited works, potentially threatening royalty structures and forcing costly litigation for publishers and rights holders.
Plaintiffs Claim Obvious and Inescapable Copying
Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson filed the complaint on Wednesday, July 8, asserting that “Swim” contains substantial similarities to their own song of the same name. In their legal filing, the trio stated that after listening to the BTS track multiple times, they reached the “obvious and inescapable conclusion” that the hit copied their original work and infringed on their copyrights. The lawsuit does not name BTS or its individual members as defendants; instead, it targets their label HYBE, along with subsidiaries HYBE America and Big Hit Music Co.
The plaintiffs also identified the songwriters behind the BTS track, including former Grammy-winning hitmaker Ryan Tedder, who has previously written for Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Adele. To support their claims, the songwriters hired musicologist Alexander Stewart, who analyzed both songs and concluded that the BTS version contained elements “unequivocally taken” from the demo. Stewart’s report highlighted similarities in the signature hook, unusual harmonies, textures, and rhythmic and lyrical elements, ruling out independent creation as a possibility.
Access to Demo Alleged Through Industry Executives
A critical element in any copyright case is proving the alleged infringer had access to the original material. Cooper, Sandler, and Johnson claim they began distributing their demo in March 2025 to various parties, including executives at Artist Publishing Group (APG). They allege that APG executives listened to the demo and shared it with others, including some of the songwriters who eventually worked on “Swim.”
After the BTS track was released, the plaintiffs attempted to resolve the dispute directly with HYBE and other defendants but reported that efforts went nowhere, with defendants either failing to respond or unable to reach a resolution. Representatives for HYBE, APG, and Tedder have not yet commented on the lawsuit. The defendants are expected to file formal arguments in the coming months to rebut the claims and seek dismissal of the case.
This lawsuit follows a pattern of high-profile copyright disputes in the music industry, including cases involving Dua Lipa and Anitta, where plaintiffs struggled to prove access. While Stewart has been retained in other major lawsuits, including those against Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran, juries in those instances rejected similar accusations of copying. The outcome of this case will likely influence how labels approach demo submissions and credit attribution in future releases.
For editorial consideration and industry coverage inquiries, contact Radio Facts.
