South Korea’s Supreme Court has rejected a $21,600 damages claim by American composer Jonathan Wright, also known as Johnny Only, who accused South Korean kids’ content company Pinkfong of plagiarizing his 2011 version of “Baby Shark.”

Axar.az reports, citing AP, that the ruling, which upholds earlier court decisions from 2021 and 2023, concluded that Wright’s version did not differ enough from the traditional folk melody to be protected by copyright and that Pinkfong’s 2015 version was distinct.

The court reaffirmed that derivative works based on existing folk tunes must involve substantial modifications to qualify for copyright protection. Pinkfong welcomed the decision, stating its version was adapted from a public-domain chant with added rhythm and melody that transformed it into a global pop culture hit.

While Wright’s attorney expressed mild disappointment, he acknowledged the case was now settled. Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark” has become a worldwide phenomenon, surpassing 16 billion YouTube views, charting on the Billboard Hot 100, and generating significant revenue through media, merchandise, and live shows.