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BTS "SWIM" Plagiarism Lawsuit Dropped!
5 Nov
Summary
- Songwriters dropped the BTS 'SWIM' plagiarism lawsuit after four months.
- Accusers claimed 'ARIRANG' demo similarity, citing melody and lyrics.
- BTS' agency had previously refuted claims, calling them one-sided.
The legal dispute surrounding BTS' song 'SWIM' has concluded, as the accusers have withdrawn their plagiarism lawsuit. On November 4, 2026, songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson formally requested the dismissal of their case filed in July. They had alleged that BTS' track 'ARIRANG' was similar to an unpublished demo they completed in March 2025.
The trio claimed a musicologist's analysis supported their assertion of melodic and lyrical similarities. While BTS members were not direct defendants, their management company and its US branch were named. The reasons for the accusers dropping the lawsuit within four months of its filing remain undisclosed, and it is unclear if a settlement was reached.
Previously, BTS' management agency had issued a statement asserting 'SWIM' was an original creation and dismissing the lawsuit's basis as one-sided. The court's final ruling will provide definitive information on the matter.
