[theqoo] [EXCLUSIVE] COPYRIGHT LAWSUIT FILED IN THE US OVER BTS'S SWIM... UNAUTHORIZED USE OF UNRELEASED SONG

A copyright infringement lawsuit has been filed in the United States regarding "Swim," the title track of BTS's fifth studio album, *Arirang*.

According to reports on the 9th (local time) by the U.S. music publication Billboard and the UK music industry outlet Music Business Worldwide (MBW), songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graelyn Johnson filed a lawsuit on the 8th in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against HYBE, Big Hit Music, and the songwriting team behind "Swim." They allege that BTS's "Swim" appropriated key elements from their unreleased demo track and used them without permission.

According to a complaint obtained by Music Business Worldwide, the three songwriters began creating "Swim" in early 2025 and completed a demo recording in March of that same year. The plaintiffs claim that they subsequently sent the track to various music industry figures, and that representatives from the U.S.-based Artist Publishing Group (APG) listened to it via the music-sharing platform Disco. The plaintiffs suspect that the demo may have been passed on, via APG, to the songwriters who participated in the production of BTS's "Swim."

The list of defendants includes HYBE, HYBE America, and Big Hit Music, as well as the co-writers of "Swim," such as Derrick Milano, James Essien, and Ryan Tedder. BTS member RM, who participated in the songwriting, and producer Pdogg were not named as defendants.

The plaintiffs also commissioned musicologist Alexander Stewart to conduct a comparative analysis of the two songs. In a preliminary report cited in the complaint, Stewart opined that it was unlikely the two songs were created independently and that the possibility of one having referenced the other could not be ruled out.

The plaintiffs sought an injunction to halt further use of "Swim," as well as damages and the disgorgement of profits. Alternatively, they requested to be recognized as co-composers and to receive a share of the copyright revenue. These claims are expected to be adjudicated during future court proceedings.

source: https://n.news.naver.com/article/028/0002813544?sid=103

original post: here

1. The difference in temperature here and the "other" article is so funny ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. Why isn't Dispatch making an exclusive coverage on this too?

3. After reading this and the Dispatch article, I can only laugh ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Dispatch, cover this one too

4. Hul

5. Dispatch is definitely keeping their mouths shut on this one

6. Look at the difference of temperature between this and Min Heejin ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

7. Why is everyone so lukewarm on this???

8. Isn't this the same case as NewJeans?

9. People sure are very quiet here

10. Ah... So it's all about who can pay more..