Lee Mendelson files federal copyright suits over Peanuts music use

The owner of the iconic music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and other "Peanuts" television specials filed four federal lawsuits on Wednesday, alleging widespread copyright infringement by a range of defendants, including the U.S. Department of the Interior. Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which has stewarded the jazz catalog of pianist Vince Guaraldi since 1963, accuses the defendants of illegally using the compositions in social media posts and a video game without permission.

The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in New York and Washington, D.C. One suit alleges the Interior Department used Guaraldi's arrangement of "O Tannenbaum" from the 1965 holiday special in a digital holiday card posted to social media. The department stated it does not comment on litigation. Another suit claims Heritage Auctions used the beloved theme "Linus and Lucy" in Facebook and Instagram posts promoting an auction of collectibles. Similar allegations of social media misuse are levied against beltmaker BuckleDown Inc.

A fourth lawsuit targets video game publisher GameMill Entertainment. The complaint alleges that in its 2025 game "Snoopy: The Great Mystery Club," the company used new music...