BTS hit 'Swim' faces plagiarism claim in U.S.; label rejects allegations, vows legal action

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- BTS' chart-topping smash hit "Swim" has been accused of plagiarizing an unpublished demo track by little-known U.S. songwriters, with the group's label, BigHit Music, dismissing the claim as "one-sided" and pledging a strong legal response.

Three songwriters -- Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Greylyn Johnson -- filed a lawsuit in the United States on Wednesday (U.S. time), alleging that "Swim," the lead track of BTS' fifth album, "Arirang," bears "substantial similarities" to their own song of the same name, Billboard reported the following day.

According to the report, the plaintiffs named Hybe, Hybe America and BigHit Music as defendants, along with the song's credited writers, including former OneRepublic member Ryan Tedder. Neither BTS nor its members were listed as defendants, although RM is credited as one of the songwriters on the track.

Hybe is the parent company of BigHit Music, while Hybe America is the American unit of Hybe.

K-pop boy group BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The plaintiffs argue that, beginning in March last year, they circulated their demo to multiple music industry contacts, including executives at Artist Publishing Group, an independent music publishing and label company. The plaintiffs claim the label "listened to the (demo) and shared it with others," including some of the songwriters of "Swim."

A musicologist commissioned by the plaintiffs, Alexander Stewart, said his analysis found similarities between the two works encompassing "the hook referencing the title, unusual harmonies, textures, and rhythmic and lyrical elements."

"In my expert opinion, independent creation of BTS can be ruled out and copying is the inescapable conclusion," he was quoted as writing in his report.

Stewart has previously been involved in copyright cases against Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," both of which were ultimately dismissed.

On Friday, BigHit Music rejected the allegations as "one-sided" claims, maintaining that "Swim" was an independent creation. "We will respond firmly through legal proceedings," the company added.