The Supreme Court of South Korea has claimed 30 million (about 21,600 or € 18.454) copyright on viral children’s song “Baby Shark”.
American musician, Jonathan Wright claimed the 2015 hit “Baby Shark” by South Korean education startup Smartstuddy, now known as Pinkfong Company, copying a song released in 2011.
But the court on Thursday ruled that the rendering of Wright was not enough to qualify for protection to maintain earlier decisions.
After the 2015 release, Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark” exploded globally and now has more than 16 billion scenes on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5PUYDQXU0ZHAFZ
Right, known as Johnny, recorded its version in 2011, four years before the version of Pinkfong.
‘Baby Shark’ based on the traditional raga popular at the US Summer Camp
Both songs are based on a traditional raga that has been popular in children’s summer camps in the United States for many years.
South Korean courts approved Pinkfong for copyright violations in 2021 and confirmed the verdict in 2023. The Supreme Court retained both decisions.
A statement said, “The Supreme Court has acknowledged the discovery of the lower court that the song of the plaintiff did not include adequate amendments to the concerned folk tune to such an extent that it could be considered as a separate work by general social standards.”
Pinkfong said the court’s verdict confirmed “Baby Shark”, which has been entered into a public domain “based on a traditional Singalong mantra.
Edited by: Wesley Dakri
