CBS settles Peanuts music dispute, donates to World Kitchen

CBS has reached a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions after the unlicensed use of the iconic Peanuts theme "Linus and Lucy" during the series finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The proceeds from the undisclosed settlement will be donated to the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen.

The incident occurred during the final episode, which aired on May 21, marking the conclusion of Colbert's 11-year tenure. In a segment discussing recent copyright enforcement actions by Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Colbert noted the company was aggressively protecting its rights to composer Vince Guaraldi's music. As he spoke, the show's house band, led by Louis Cato, began playing "Linus and Lucy." Colbert then joked, "Oh no! I hope this doesn't cost CBS any money!"

That offhand remark proved prescient. Following the broadcast, the rights holder flagged the use, and the two parties entered negotiations to resolve the copyright issue. Rather than pursue litigation, they agreed to a retroactive licensing deal. Jason Mendelson, Chairman of Lee Mendelson Film Productions, stated the company found the use "funny and entertaining" and emphasized that a...