South Korean Supreme Court Dismisses 'Baby Shark' Copyright Claim
The South Korean Supreme Court has dismissed a US composer's copyright claim against Pinkfong's global hit "Baby Shark," ruling the song is based on a traditional melody.
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Overview
- Pinkfong's "Baby Shark Dance" video, released in 2015, became a global phenomenon on YouTube, accumulating over 16 billion views and reaching No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- US composer Johnny Only, also known as Wright, released his version of "Baby Shark" in 2011, based on a traditional melody popular at US children's summer camps.
- Wright's copyright claim against Pinkfong was dismissed by South Korea's top court, which found his version did not differ enough from the original melody for copyright protection.
- The court ruled that Pinkfong's song had clear differences from Wright's version and was confirmed to be based on a traditional chant in the public domain.
- The South Korean Supreme Court's decision confirms that Pinkfong's "Baby Shark" does not infringe on Wright's copyright, concluding a significant legal battle.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on the factual outcome of the legal dispute. They present the court's decision and reasoning clearly, alongside statements from both the plaintiff and the defendant, without employing loaded language or selective emphasis. The reporting prioritizes objective information regarding the copyright claim and its resolution.
"The Supreme Court said its ruling reaffirms the established legal principle on existing folk tunes as derivative work."
ABC News"The court upheld two lower court verdicts that favoured Pinkfong, the South Korean company behind the tune with the "doo doo doo doo doo doo" refrain that has been streamed billions of times."
BBC NewsArticles (4)
FAQ
The copyright claim was filed by US composer Jonathan Wright, also known as Johnny Only, who alleged that Pinkfong's 2015 'Baby Shark' copied his version released in 2011, which was based on a traditional melody popular in US children's summer camps.
The South Korean Supreme Court dismissed the copyright claim, ruling that Wright's version was not original enough for copyright protection and that Pinkfong's 'Baby Shark' was based on a traditional chant in the public domain with clear differences from Wright's version.
Pinkfong's 'Baby Shark Dance' video, released in 2015, has become a global phenomenon with over 16 billion views on YouTube and reached number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
South Korean courts cleared Pinkfong of copyright infringement in 2021 and reaffirmed the decision in 2023, with the Supreme Court upholding these earlier rulings in 2025.
Both Pinkfong's and Wright's versions are derived from a traditional melody that has been popular at children's summer camps in the United States for many years, and this melody is considered to be in the public domain.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.