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

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.