Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 2 hrs ago
Songwriters withdraw US lawsuit over BTS track 'Swim'
Three songwriters have asked a US judge to dismiss their copyright lawsuit over BTS’s song “Swim.”
They filed the case in July, saying the song was substantially similar to their own demo, which had the same title.
The lawsuit named Hybe, Hybe America, BigHit Music and credited songwriters, including Ryan Tedder; BTS and its members were not named as defendants.
RM is credited as one of the song’s writers.
BigHit Music said “Swim” was independently created and described the accusations as one-sided.
The song is the lead track from BTS’s fifth album, “Arirang,” and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in March.
The lawsuit was still in its early stages, and Hybe’s lawyers had not filed a formal response.
The court filing asks for the case to be dismissed, but it is not clear whether the parties reached a settlement.
Three songwriters have withdrawn their US copyright lawsuit alleging BTS’s song “SWIM” copied their demo.
Their attorneys asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety in a filing dated Wednesday, November 4, according to Billboard.
Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson filed the lawsuit in July, claiming similarities between the songs.
BTS’s agency, BigHit Music, denied the allegation and said “SWIM” was an independent creation.
The sources said the lawsuit was still at an early stage and did not establish whether the parties had reached a settlement.
- Who
- Songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson withdrew their claims against companies and songwriters associated with “SWIM”.
- What
- They asked a US court to dismiss their copyright lawsuit in its entirety.
- When
- The dismissal request was filed on Wednesday, November 4, US time. The lawsuit was filed in July.
- Where
- A US court.
- Why
- Not stated.
The three songwriters
BigHit Music
Allegation
The three songwriters
The songwriters claimed “SWIM” was substantially similar to their demo.
BigHit Music
BigHit Music said “SWIM” was an independent creation and described the lawsuit as based on the plaintiffs’ unilateral claims.
BTS released “SWIM”.
Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson filed a US lawsuit alleging similarities between “SWIM” and their demo.
The songwriters’ attorneys filed a request to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety.
- Song
- SWIM,” the title track of BTS’s fifth album
- Songwriters bringing the lawsuit
- Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler and Greylyn Johnson
- Lawsuit filed
- July 2026
- Withdrawal request
- November 4, 2026
- US chart peak
- SWIM” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
3 sources
What people are saying
The lawsuit is only the plaintiffs’ unilateral claim. We clearly state that SWIM is an independent creation.