Songwriters Steve Cooper, Jon Sandler, and Greylyn Johnson filed a federal copyright infringement complaint on July 8, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against HYBE Co., Ltd., HYBE America, HYBE Music Services, Big Hit Music, Artist Publishing Group, and individual songwriters/producers including Derrick Gray (aka Derrick Milano), Ryan Tedder, and others.
The plaintiffs claim their March 2025 demo titled “Swim” (registered as PAu 4-308-121) was substantially copied for BTS’s lead single “Swim” from the March 2026 ARIRANG album, which topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Key Allegations and Expert Analysis
Plaintiffs allege they circulated their demo to industry contacts, including those linked to Artist Publishing Group (APG), and that it reached defendants involved in BTS sessions. They hired University of Vermont music professor and forensic musicologist Alexander Stewart, Ph.D., for analysis.
In his preliminary report (referring to plaintiffs’ work as “SJG” and BTS’s as “BTS”), Stewart identified significant similarities in:
- Signature hook/phrase referencing the title.
- Unusual harmonies, textures, rhythmic elements.
- Lyrical elements and aquatic theme.
- Overall expression, with no substantial prior art found for the combined elements.
Stewart concluded: “…these elements in BTS were unequivocally taken from SJG… independent creation of BTS can be ruled out and copying is the inescapable conclusion.”
The suit seeks damages, profits, an accounting, potential injunction, and co-writer credits. It does not name BTS members as defendants.
Alexander Stewart’s Track Record as Expert Witness
Stewart is a credentialed expert with involvement in hundreds of music copyright cases. He often testifies on melody, harmony, rhythm, structure, and “feel,” focusing on substantial similarities.
Notable Cases (Mostly Plaintiff-Side):
- Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud” vs. “Let’s Get It On” (2023): Testified for plaintiffs on chord progressions, harmonic rhythm, melody, and syncopation. Jury ruled for Sheeran; defense highlighted commonplace elements and deposit copy issues. Appeals upheld.
- Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven” vs. Spirit’s “Taurus”: Provided declaration/testimony for plaintiffs on melodic/rhythmic/harmonic similarities (~78% pitch match in openings). Led Zeppelin prevailed at trial and on appeal; opposing experts stressed prior art.
- The Weeknd-related cases: Reports submitted; cases often dismissed or settled without infringement findings against defendants. Courts sometimes critiqued analysis on prior art or filtering unprotectable elements.
Plaintiff Wins/Favorable Outcomes:
- Bridgeport Music sampling cases (e.g., “Atomic Dog,” 2000s): Testimony helped affirm standards on fragmented literal similarity; often favored rights holders.
- Notorious B.I.G./Ohio Players-related case (2006): Testimony for plaintiff, affirmed on appeal.
Critics (defense teams/courts) note common issues with plaintiff experts like Stewart: over-reliance on recordings vs. deposit copies, limited prior art review, and opinions edging into legal conclusions on “substantial similarity.” Outcomes ultimately depend on judges/juries weighing full evidence, genre conventions, and protectability.
Context and Reactions
“Swim” was a massive hit — lead single from ARIRANG, with strong chart performance and cultural impact. Derrick Milano (a key credited writer/producer on multiple ARIRANG tracks) and collaborators like Ryan Tedder have spoken positively about the creative process with BTS.
Many fans and observers view the suit as a potential “cash grab” targeting a blockbuster success, common in high-stakes music copyright litigation. HYBE/Big Hit have not yet publicly commented in detail.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry around access to demos, independent creation vs. subconscious influence, and the challenges of proving (or defending) substantial similarity in contemporary pop, especially with global hits.
