BTS' "Swim" Faces Legal Challenge Over Alleged Copyright Theft

WHO:

Sportskeeda - BTS, a South Korean boy band, and BIGHIT MUSIC, their management company.

Billboard - A trio of songwriters involved in the lawsuit against HYBE.

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - A copyright lawsuit has been filed in the United States over BTS' single "Swim."

Billboard - The songwriters claim that "Swim" was "copied in very large part" from their earlier track.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The lawsuit was filed in the United States.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - The single "Swim" is the lead track from BTS' fifth studio album "ARIRANG," released on July 8, 2026.

WHY:

Billboard - The lawsuit alleges copyright theft, claiming that the song was stolen from a demo by the trio of songwriters.

HOW:

Sportskeeda - BIGHIT MUSIC has denied the allegations and promised legal action in response to the lawsuit.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 10:08 UTC)

A copyright lawsuit has been filed in the United States against BTS and their management company, BIGHIT MUSIC, over the boy band's single "Swim," which is the lead track from their recently released fifth studio album "ARIRANG." The trio of songwriters behind the lawsuit claims that "Swim" was "copied in very large part" from their earlier track, alleging copyright theft from a demo they created. In response, BIGHIT MUSIC has denied the allegations and vowed to take legal action against the claims.