10 July,2026 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BTS Members (Pic via Instagram)
BTS' agency, HYBE Labels, has strongly denied allegations that the group's recently released track Swim infringes on the copyright of a song by American songwriters. The agency issued an official statement after reports emerged that a copyright lawsuit had been filed in the United States, accusing the K-pop group's latest release of plagiarism.
Addressing the controversy, HYBE dismissed the claims as baseless and said it intends to respond through the appropriate legal channels. The company maintained that Swim was created independently and does not violate anyone else's intellectual property rights.
In its statement, the agency said, "The allegations are entirely without merit. We will actively respond through legal procedures to establish the facts and protect our artists." HYBE added that it remains committed to defending BTS against what it described as unfounded accusations.
The lawsuit, filed by a group of US-based songwriters, reportedly claims that Swim bears substantial similarities to an earlier composition. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs are seeking damages and recognition of their alleged copyright interests. However, the filing has not resulted in any court ruling, and the matter is currently in its early legal stages.
HYBE has stressed that the existence of a lawsuit should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing. The agency reiterated that the song was developed through its own creative process and expressed confidence that the legal proceedings would clarify the situation.
The controversy has generated widespread discussion online, with fans closely following developments. Many BTS supporters have backed the group and urged people to wait for the legal process to unfold before drawing conclusions. Others have called for restraint, noting that copyright disputes in the music industry can be complex and often require expert analysis before any determination is made.
This is not the first time a major global artist has faced plagiarism allegations, as copyright disputes have become increasingly common in the music business. Such cases typically involve detailed examinations of melody, harmony, rhythm and other musical elements before courts decide whether copyright infringement has occurred.
For now, no judgment has been issued in the case, and the allegations remain contested. HYBE has made it clear that it plans to vigorously defend BTS and Swim in court, while the plaintiffs will seek to prove their claims through the ongoing legal process. Until an official ruling is delivered, the dispute remains unresolved, with both sides standing firmly by their respective positions.
