Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 13 hrs ago
US court dismisses copyright lawsuit against BTS and HYBE
A US court dismissed a copyright lawsuit against BTS and HYBE on October 22, ending one legal dispute involving the South Korean group and its agency.
Melissa Mays had alleged that they used her unreleased songs without permission, but the court said she did not provide specific evidence to support the claim.
After an earlier version of her complaint was found legally insufficient, Mays filed a revised version that did not address the court’s concerns.
A separate case in California remains open, with composers claiming BTS’s song “SWIM” copies elements of their own composition, which has the same title.
The composers point to similarities in the melody, chorus, harmony, rhythm and lyrics, and are seeking damages and a share of the song’s profits.
Big Hit Music denies the allegation, saying “SWIM” was created independently, so that copyright dispute is still unresolved.
A US federal court dismissed Melissa Mays’ copyright lawsuit against BTS, Big Hit Music, HYBE and HYBE America.
The Eastern District of Virginia ruled on October 22 that Mays’ amended complaint did not establish a valid case.
Mays had alleged that BTS and its team used her unreleased songs without consent, but the court found she had not provided specific supporting evidence.
A separate copyright lawsuit over BTS’ song SWIM remains underway in California.
The composers suing over SWIM allege similarities to their work, while Big Hit Music says the song was created independently.
- Who
- The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed Melissa Mays’ complaint against BTS, Big Hit Music, HYBE and HYBE America.
- What
- The court dismissed an amended copyright complaint alleging BTS and its team used Mays’ unreleased songs without consent.
- When
- October 22; the article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Why
- The court found Mays had not established a valid case or provided specific evidence supporting her allegation.
SWIM composers
Big Hit Music
Alleged copying
SWIM composers
Composers Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson allege SWIM uses elements from their copyrighted work.
Big Hit Music
Big Hit Music says the claim is unilateral and that SWIM was created independently.
Evidence and remedy
SWIM composers
The composers cite similarities in melody, chorus, harmony, rhythm and lyrics, and seek damages and a share of profits.
Big Hit Music
The article reports Big Hit Music’s denial but does not state a detailed account of its evidence.
The SWIM composers completed a demo that they say is similar to BTS’ song.
Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson filed a separate copyright lawsuit over SWIM in the Central District of California.
Melissa Mays filed her lawsuit alleging BTS and their team used her unreleased songs without consent.
Judge Leonie Brinkema found Mays’ original complaint did not establish valid legal grounds and gave her until October 9 to revise it.
Mays submitted an amended complaint.
The Eastern District of Virginia dismissed Mays’ amended complaint.
- Court
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- Dismissal date
- October 22
- Complainant
- Melissa Mays
- Separate SWIM case
- Filed July 8 in the Central District of California
- SWIM composers
- Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson
- Big Hit Music’s position
- SWIM was created independently
1 source
What people are saying
This is merely a unilateral claim by the plaintiff. SWIM is a song created independently.