• South Korea's Supreme Court dismissed a copyright claim against 'Baby Shark'.
• The court ruled that the song's elements were based on traditional folk music.
• Previously, lower courts found insufficient grounds for copyright infringement.
• The original creator, Jonathan Wright, lacked substantial alterations in his version.
• 'Baby Shark' has over 16 billion views on YouTube, making it a global phenomenon.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has ruled that Pinkfong's globally popular children's song, Baby Shark, did not plagiarise a US composer's work, Jonathan Wright, who alleged copyright infringement. The court dismissed Wright's claims after reviewing two lower court decisions that found Pinkfong’s adaptation of the song was based on a classic folk melody that is in the public domain, according to BBC, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

Wright claimed that Pinkfong's version, released in 2016, copied elements of his 2011 rendition. However, the court ruled that Wright's work did not present significant changes to the original folk tune to qualify for copyright protection. The findings confirmed that both songs derive from a traditional melody widely familiar in US children’s summer camps, according to Africa News and BBC.

Wright, using the stage name Johnny Only, sought damages of approximately $21,600. In its ruling, the Supreme Court emphasized that Pinkfong's rendition evidently added distinct artistic elements that transformed the song, thus enabling it to stand apart from Wright's version. Pinkfong's Baby Shark has gained over 16 billion views on YouTube, contributing to its status as a pop culture icon, indicates India Times and Africa News.

The legal battle began in 2019 when Wright filed his lawsuit, which followed a successful appeal to lower courts clearing Pinkfong of infringement claims. The Supreme Court's decision reinforces the viewpoint that Baby Shark's catchy elements are derivative of public domain material rather than protected copyright work, as stated by Channel News Asia and Africa News.