BTS’s “SWIM” Faces Plagiarism Allegations
BTS has been hit with a plagiarism lawsuit in the United States over its song “SWIM,” prompting agency BigHit Music to firmly reject the allegations and vow to fight the case in court. This news has sent ripples through the global K-pop community, as fans follow closely the developments surrounding the legal challenge to the group’s work.
“The lawsuit contains only the plaintiffs’ unilateral claims,” BigHit Music told Xportsnews Friday. “We clearly maintain that ‘SWIM’ is an independent, original work. We will respond firmly through the legal process.” This strong stance from the agency underscores their confidence in the originality of the track and their readiness to defend their artists’ creative output.
The Heart of the Lawsuit: Claims and Defendants
The statement from BigHit Music came after Billboard reported Thursday that songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graylin Johnson filed a lawsuit the previous day. They allege that BTS’s “SWIM” is substantially similar to a demo song of the same title that they had written. This legal action brings the complex issue of music copyright into the spotlight once again, especially concerning globally popular songs.
According to the report, the complaint specifically names HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music, and several songwriters credited on “SWIM.” Among those credited is Ryan Tedder, the acclaimed front man of American pop-rock band OneRepublic. Notably, BTS leader RM is also credited as one of the song’s writers. An important detail for fans is that the plaintiffs did not name any of the BTS members as defendants in the lawsuit, clarifying that the legal action is directed at the corporate entities and the song’s credited creators, not the performing artists themselves.
What’s Next for the “SWIM” Copyright Case?
The case is expected to proceed through the U.S. legal system. The court will ultimately determine whether the similarities alleged by the plaintiffs constitute copyright infringement. The K-pop world, along with legal observers, will be watching closely as this high-profile case unfolds, potentially setting precedents for future copyright disputes involving international artists and major labels.
