Overview

• The Supreme Court endorsed decisions from 2021 and 2023 that found insufficient grounds to deem Pinkfong’s version infringing or Wright’s arrangement original enough for protection.
• Jonathan Wright, known as Johnny Only, first recorded his variant of the 'Baby Shark' melody in 2011, four years prior to Pinkfong’s release.
• Wright pursued 30 million won (approximately $21,600) in damages but will not receive compensation after his claim was dismissed.
• Since its 2015 debut, Pinkfong’s 'Baby Shark' has become YouTube’s most-watched video with over 16 billion views and achieved a No. 32 peak on the Billboard Hot 100.
• The case highlights the challenges of securing copyright for works based on long-standing folk or camp tunes.