Supreme Court of South Korea: «Baby Shark» Is Not Plagiarism – A Symbol of Cultural Freedom

Historic Decision on August 14, 2025

On August 14, 2025 the Supreme Court of South Korea finally ended the six-year legal battle over the copyrights of the world's most successful children's song – «Baby Shark». American composer Johnny Only accused the Korean company Pinkfong of plagiarizing his version from 2011 when creating the global hit in 2015.

Court: Folklore, Not Plagiarism

The Supreme Court declared that the song is part of the public domain and has numerous versions in children's folklore and camp traditions worldwide. Neither Wright's arrangement nor Pinkfong's are original enough to deserve exclusive copyrights.
The ruling states that «Baby Shark» as a melody and structure belongs to collective memory and public culture – "minor deviations and edits to the original material cannot be considered a work eligible for protection".

Pinkfong: Creativity and Global Phenomenon

Pinkfong defended its adaptation in court – a fresh rhythm, animation, and modern interpretation of the classic camp hit led to the «Baby Shark» phenomenon, which surpasses 16 billion views on YouTube, international tours, and multi-platform products.
The company emphasizes that success is the result of innovative processing but acknowledges that the base is a traditional song without an individual author.

Precedent and Message to the Music World

The Supreme Court's decision creates an important precedent for copyright – placing public interest and cultural dynamics at the core of such disputes. The court confirmed that artists work in an environment of collaborative influences and that the historical and collective nature of some works must be respected.
The «Baby Shark» case sets a new standard for creative freedom, but also reminds how narrow the line is between original creativity and borrowing from folk heritage.

Conclusion

Pinkfong's court victory – for many artists and communities – is a symbol of the modern understanding of cultural ownership, creative adaptation, and the importance of public domain. «Baby Shark» remains part of global pop culture – as an example of how folk creativity can inspire new generations and musical innovations.