A title that panic came in the YouTube meters and crossed the world. With his catchy words “Baby Shark Doo Doo Doo”, the video “Baby Shark Dance” published in 2015 is the most watched of the YouTube video platform, with more than 16 billion visits. Either about double those of “Despacito” by Luis Fonci or the children’s song “Wheels on the bus”.
In 2019, the New York composer Johnny only brought a prosecution in Seoul, invoking that through the song “Baby Shark”, the educational startup of South Korea, Smartstudy, had copied one of its titles published in 2011.
He requested a compensation of 30 million Wones (around 18,500 euros), accusing Smartstudy of having copied elements of his work, in particular his low line and rhythm.
Smartstudy, now known as Pinkfong Company, has replicated that its version was an adaptation of a traditional song of North America not protected by copyright.
A court of first instance had already absolute the company Pinkfong in 2021. The decision had been confirmed by an appeal court in 2023, which Johnny had only challenged.
“All calls have been rejected and the decisions of the Court of First Instance have been confirmed,” indicate the judicial documents consulted by AFP.
Contacted by AFP, Johnny Solo and the company Pinkfong did not follow immediately.
During an interview with the Canadian public television CBC in 2019, Johnny only said he had created a version of “Baby Shark” adapted to young children in 2011, from a song brought to a bloody attack of sharks. “I was the first to do that (rewriting the song), you know? And basically, Pinkfong’s version does the same,” he said.
Source: BFM TV
