BTS Win US Copyright Lawsuit Dismissal as Court Throws Out Claims

South Korean music sensation BTS and their agency Big Hit Music have secured a legal victory in the United States after a federal court threw out a copyright lawsuit filed against them. The dismissal brings a definitive end to one particular legal challenge involving the globally renowned K-pop group, though separate litigation regarding one of their tracks remains active in another court.

The lawsuit was originally filed on August 25 by a complainant named Melissa Mays, who alleged that the group and their team had utilized her unreleased songs without receiving her proper consent. From the outset, the legal proceedings encountered hurdles when a judge determined that the initial complaint failed to state an actionable claim. The complainant was subsequently granted an opportunity to revise her filing and supply additional details by an October deadline.

Although an amended complaint was submitted on October 8, the court found that it still failed to resolve the deficiencies pointed out in the earlier review. Consequently, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed the complaint entirely, ruling in favor of BTS and the other listed defendants to close out the dispute.

While the Virginia court ruling resolves that specific matter, BTS and their agency continue to navigate a separate copyright lawsuit in the US centered around their track SWIM. That distinct case was filed in the Central District of California by composers Steve Cooper, John Sandler, and Graylin Johnson, who claim the group's music incorporates elements from their own copyrighted work. The track serves as the title song for the group's fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which marked their long-awaited full-group return in March 2026 after completing mandatory military service.

The composers in the California lawsuit allege that the contested track shares striking similarities with a demo they finished in March 2025. To back up their claims, they reportedly presented a musicologist's analysis pointing to overlapping elements in the melody, harmony, rhythm, chorus, and lyrics, while seeking financial damages and a portion of the profits generated by the release.

In response to the California litigation, Big Hit Music has firmly pushed back against the allegations. The agency stated that the claims represent a unilateral assertion by the plaintiffs and maintained that SWIM was created entirely through independent efforts. BTS, featuring members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, debuted in June 2013 under the label, which later became part of HYBE, and have since grown into a massive international music phenomenon.

The resolution of the Virginia lawsuit removes one legal hurdle for the septet as they press forward with their extensive global activities. Alongside managing ongoing legal disputes, the group has been busy connecting with fans worldwide through their massive 2026-27 world tour, which spans 34 regions and includes 85 shows across multiple continents following the release of their latest studio album.