The title track ″SWIM″ from BTS’s fifth studio album has become embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on the 8th (local time) by three composers—Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graylin Johnson—against HYBE, BigHit Music, and the songwriting team of ″SWIM″ in a local court. They claim that ″SWIM″ took key elements from their unreleased demo track of the same name, asserting substantial similarities in the hooks, harmony, rhythm, texture, and some lyrical elements between the two songs. The plaintiffs also stated that since March of last year, they sent the demo to music industry executives, including those at Artist Publishing Group, and that some of these individuals passed the demo on to the ″SWIM″ songwriting team of BTS. Alexander Stewart, a musicologist commissioned by the plaintiffs, analyzed the two songs and concluded that the choruses, sound composition, rhythm, and lyrical elements are very similar.

The defendants in the lawsuit include HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music, and the ″SWIM″ songwriting team; however, BTS member RM and producer Pdogg are not listed. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop further use of ″SWIM,″ damages, disgorgement of profits, recognition as co-writers, and a share of the copyright revenue. They also stated that they attempted to resolve the dispute with HYBE before filing the lawsuit but received no clear response.

In response, BigHit Music, BTS’s agency, stated on the 10th, ″This lawsuit is merely a one-sided claim by the plaintiffs,″ adding, ″’SWIM’ is an original work. We will respond strongly through legal procedures going forward.″

Meanwhile, ″SWIM″ is the title track of BTS’s fifth album ″ARIRANG,″ released last March. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 main singles chart and remained on the chart for 15 consecutive weeks. BTS is scheduled to headline the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World CupTM final on July 19 (local time), alongside Madonna and Shakira. Additionally, the American music publication Rolling Stone and the British music outlet NME have named ″ARIRANG″ the best album of 2026.