Recommendations of the Editorial team
One of the funniest copyright “disputes” in recent memory has come to an amicable, one might almost say charming, end: CBS has agreed to a licensing agreement, the proceeds of which will be donated to a non-profit organization – after Stephen Colbert intentionally played one of Vince Guaraldi’s famous “Peanuts” songs without permission on the latest episode of The Late Show.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc. (LMFP), which holds the rights to Guaraldi’s TV and film catalog, confirmed the deal in a statement to ROLLING STONE. LMFP will donate proceeds from the agreement to World Central Kitchen, celebrity chef José Andrés’ non-profit organization that provides food assistance in conflict zones and humanitarian disasters.
The exact amount of the license fee was not disclosed. However, it would be the second donation to the World Central Kitchen resulting from the departure of the “Late Show”: In the penultimate episode, Colbert presented the organization with a check for $2.5 million on behalf of the outgoing late-night institution.
Colbert’s calculated rule-breaking
Colbert blamed this good deed on his now former employer in a clip of his “Meanwhile…” segment on the “Late Show” finale. After mentioning that LMFP had recently filed several lawsuits over the unauthorized use of Guaraldi’s music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other “Peanuts” TV specials, Colbert looked directly into the camera and said, “Peanuts is a powerful brand and an entire company in itself. Anyone who uses this music illegally will be hit hard for it…”
Even as he spoke, the “Late Show” band Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine began playing “Linus and Lucy.” Colbert asked his bandleader if they were actually playing the kind of music they were “being persecuted for” – to which Cato cheerfully replied, “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing right now,” while the band continued playing unmoved.
“Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” Colbert said dryly to the camera.
Reaction of the rights holders
Although the use was clearly without permission, LMFP Chairman Jason Mendelson said in a statement that the company found Colbert’s use of “Linus and Lucy” to be “funny and entertaining.” He added that they were “proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission” and said: “A key goal of our enforcement actions is to educate individuals, companies and governments that they need written licensing agreements to use music in a commercial environment.”