South Korean Supreme Court dismisses U.S. composer’s ‘Baby Shark’ copyright claim

South Korea’s Supreme Court rejected a 30 million won ($21,600) damage claim Thursday by an American composer who accused a South Korean company of plagiarizing his version of “Baby Shark,” ending a six-year legal battle over the globally popular tune.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s Supreme Court rejected a 30 million won ($21,600) damage claim Thursday by an American composer who accused a South Korean kids content company of plagiarizing his version of “Baby Shark,” ending a six-year legal battle over the globally popular tune known for its catchy “doo doo doo doo doo doo” hook.

The top court upheld lower court rulings dating to 2021 and 2023 that found no sufficient grounds to conclude the company, Pinkfong, infringed on Jonathan Wright’s copyright.

Wright, also known as Johnny Only, recorded his version in 2011, four years before Pinkfong’s, but both were based on a traditional melody popular for years at children’s summer camps in the United States.

The courts ruled that Wright’s version did not differ enough from the original melody to qualify as an original creative work eligible for copyright protection, and that Pinkfong’s song had clear differences from Wright’s.

The Supreme Court said its ruling reaffirms the established legal principle on existing folk tunes as derivative work.