RM, a co-composer of "SWIM" and leader of BTS [Getty Images]
RM, a co-composer of "SWIM" and leader of BTS [Getty Images]

A plagiarism lawsuit filed against BTS's fifth-album title track "SWIM" has been dropped by the plaintiffs, though it remains unclear whether they abandoned their claims or reached a settlement with Hybe.

Billboard reported that the plaintiffs' attorneys filed documents Wednesday with the court seeking a full dismissal of the case.

The lawsuit was still in its early stages, and Hybe's attorneys had not yet submitted a formal response when the case concluded.

The reason for the withdrawal has not been confirmed. Billboard said court filings alone could not determine whether a settlement had been reached, adding that neither side responded to requests for comment.

The plaintiffs — three little-known composers named Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graelyn Johnson — filed the lawsuit in July, alleging that "SWIM" shared not only the same title as their demo track but also similar musical elements. They said they had sent the demo to multiple parties in the music industry beginning in March last year, and claimed some of the composers of "SWIM" had received a copy.

The defendants named in the suit included Hybe, Hybe America, Big Hit Music and Ryan Tedder, a member of OneRepublic and one of the composers of "SWIM." BTS and its individual members were not named as defendants.

Big Hit Music rebuffed the allegations shortly after the lawsuit was filed. "The lawsuit is nothing more than the plaintiffs' one-sided claims," the agency said. "We state clearly that 'SWIM' is an independently created work, and we will respond firmly through the legal process."

"SWIM," released in March this year after BTS's lengthy hiatus, became a global hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.


paq@heraldcorp.com