South Korea’s top court rules viral Baby Shark song does not infringe copyright
Court issues plagiarism verdict on viral Baby Shark song
- A South Korean court has dismissed a copyright claim against children’s publisher Pinkfong over its global hit song Baby Shark.
- American composer Jonathan Wright had sought £16,000, alleging Pinkfong’s 2015 rendition plagiarised his 2011 song.
- The court ruled that Wright’s version lacked sufficient originality for copyright protection, as it was based on a folk tune widely circulated in the public domain.
- Pinkfong stated the decision affirmed their version was a reimagining of a traditional singalong chant, given a new arrangement and catchy melody.
- Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark” has achieved massive popularity, garnering over 16 billion YouTube views and expanding into a lucrative franchise of TV shows, films, and merchandise.