BigHit Music has pushed back against shocking plagiarism allegations surrounding BTS's new single 'SWIM'.
On the 10th, BigHit Music stated, "The lawsuit consists solely of the plaintiffs' one-sided claims," adding, "We make it clear that 'SWIM' is an independently created work. We will respond forcefully through legal procedures."
On July 9 (local time), Billboard reported that songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylin Johnson filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against HYBE, BigHit Music, and members of the 'SWIM' songwriting team.
The plaintiffs claim that an unreleased demo they had shared since March last year may have been passed to the 'SWIM' writers via U.S. music company Artist Publishing Group. Alleging substantial similarity between 'SWIM' and their demo, they brought the suit. Their musicologist, Alexander Stewart, compared the two songs and argued there are "similarities in the title-referencing hook, distinctive harmony, texture, rhythm, and even lyrical elements," raising the possibility of plagiarism.
The defendants include HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music, and members of the 'SWIM' songwriting team, such as OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder. Member RM is also credited as a co-writer, but BTS themselves are not named as defendants.
Meanwhile, 'SWIM' is the title track of BTS's fifth full-length album 'Arirang' (ARIRANG). Upon release, the single shot straight to No. 1 on Billboard's main singles chart, the Hot 100, setting multiple records.