Latest news with #SmartStudy
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Court finds Baby Shark not a rip-off
SEOUL: South Korea's Supreme Court has ruled that the globally popular children's song 'Baby Shark' was not plagiarised, dismissing a copyright claim from a US composer. With its catchy tune and lyrics, the 'Baby Shark Dance' video is the most-watched on YouTube, with over 16 billion views. This is roughly double the views of the second-place video, 'Despacito', and triple the third-place video, 'Wheels on the Bus'. In 2019, New York-based composer Jonathan Wright, known as Johnny Only, filed a lawsuit in Seoul. He alleged that the 2015 hit by South Korean educational company SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011. Only was seeking 30 million won (RM90,980) in compensation, claiming that the firm had copied elements of his work, including the bassline and rhythm. SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a traditional North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright. A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges in 2021, ruling that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. This decision was upheld by an appeals court in 2023. Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings on Thursday. According to court documents seen by AFP, "all appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld." In a statement, The Pinkfong Company said the Supreme Court's decision confirmed that 'Baby Shark' was "based on a traditional singalong chant that has entered the public domain."
CNA
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
South Korean top court rules Baby Shark not plagiarised
South Korea's top court ruled Thursday (Aug 14) that the globally popular South Korean children's song Baby Shark was not plagiarised, rejecting a copyright claim filed by a US-based composer. With its catchy lyrics, the Baby Shark Dance video is the most viewed on YouTube, with more than 16 billion views, roughly double those of the runner-up, Despacito and third-place Wheels On The Bus. In 2019, New York composer Johnny Only, whose legal name is Jonathan Wright, filed a lawsuit in Seoul, alleging that the 2015 hit Baby Shark by South Korean education startup SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011. Only demanded 30 million won (US$21,700) in compensation, accusing the firm of copying elements of his work, including its bassline and rhythm. SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a classic North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright. A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges at a trial in 2021, finding that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. That ruling was upheld by an appeal court in 2023. Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings on Thursday. "All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld," according to court documents seen by AFP. The Pinkfong Company said in a statement Thursday that the Supreme Court's decision confirmed Baby Shark was "based on a traditional singalong chant that has entered the public domain". The company said it had given "a fresh twist to the chant by adding an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody, turning it into the pop culture icon it is today". Only did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment. He told Canadian public broadcaster CBC in 2019 that he had created a toddler-friendly version of Baby Shark in 2011, revising the original song, which was about a gory shark attack. "I was the first one that did that (rewriting the song), you know? And basically Pinkfong's version does the same thing," he said in the interview.
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Top court rules ‘Baby Shark' song not plagiarised
THE top court here has ruled that the globally-popular South Korean children's song Baby Shark was not plagiarised, rejecting a copyright claim filed by a US-based composer. With its catchy lyrics, the Baby Shark Dance video is the most viewed on YouTube with more than 16 billion views, roughly double those of the runner-up, Despacito and third place, Wheels on the Bus. In 2019, New York composer Johnny Only, whose legal name is Jonathan Wright, filed a lawsuit in Seoul, alleging that the 2015 hit Baby Shark by South Korean education start-up SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011. Only demanded 30 million won in compensation, accusing the firm of copying elements of his work, including its bassline and rhythm. SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a classic North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright. A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges at a trial in 2021, finding that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. That ruling was upheld by an appeal court in 2023. Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings yesterday. 'All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld,' according to court documents seen by AFP. The Pinkfong Company said it had given 'a fresh twist to the chant by adding an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody, turning it into the pop culture icon it is today'. — AFP
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
South Korea's top court clears Baby Shark of plagiarism claims
SEOUL: South Korea's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the global children's hit 'Baby Shark' does not constitute plagiarism. The decision dismissed a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by US-based composer Johnny Only against South Korean education firm SmartStudy. The viral 'Baby Shark Dance' video remains YouTube's most-viewed content with over 16 billion views, surpassing Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito'. Johnny Only, legally named Jonathan Wright, had claimed SmartStudy's 2015 release copied his 2011 composition's bassline and rhythm. He sought 30 million won ($21,700) in compensation through his 2019 Seoul lawsuit against the Korean company. SmartStudy, now rebranded as The Pinkfong Company, maintained their version adapted a traditional children's tune in the public domain. A Seoul district court originally cleared Pinkfong of copyright violations in 2021 due to insufficient evidence. The appellate court upheld this verdict in 2023 before Thursday's Supreme Court confirmation. Court documents stated 'All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld' in the final judgment. Pinkfong celebrated the ruling, stating it validated their creative adaptation of a traditional chant into a pop phenomenon. The company credited their success to adding 'an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody' to the public domain material. Only previously told CBC he had rewritten the original shark attack song into a child-friendly version in 2011. He claimed Pinkfong's version followed his creative approach during the 2019 interview. The composer had not responded to AFP's request for comment following Thursday's verdict. - AFP
Observer
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
South Korean top court rules 'Baby Shark' not plagiarised
Seoul: South Korea's top court ruled Thursday that the globally popular South Korean children's song "Baby Shark" was not plagiarised, rejecting a copyright claim filed by a US-based composer. With its catchy lyrics, the "Baby Shark Dance" video is the most viewed on YouTube, with more than 16 billion views, roughly double those of the runner-up, "Despacito", and third-place "Wheels on the Bus". In 2019, New York composer Johnny Only, whose legal name is Jonathan Wright, filed a lawsuit in Seoul, alleging that the 2015 hit "Baby Shark" by South Korean education startup SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011. Only demanded 30 million won ($21,700) in compensation, accusing the firm of copying elements of his work, including its bassline and rhythm. SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a classic North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright. A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges at a trial in 2021, finding that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. That ruling was upheld by an appeal court in 2023. Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings on Thursday. "All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld," according to court documents seen by AFP. The Pinkfong Company said in a statement Thursday that the Supreme Court's decision confirmed "Baby Shark" was "based on a traditional singalong chant that has entered the public domain". The company said it had given "a fresh twist to the chant by adding an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody, turning it into the pop culture icon it is today". Only did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment. He told Canadian public broadcaster CBC in 2019 that he had created a toddler-friendly version of "Baby Shark" in 2011, revising the original song, which was about a gory shark attack. "I was the first one that did that (rewriting the song), you know? And basically Pinkfong's version does the same thing," he said in the interview.
