Overview
- Lee Mendelson Film Productions said Tuesday it reached a licensing agreement with CBS to cover the May 21 use of Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” on The Late Show finale.
- Stephen Colbert’s May 21 gag had the house band play the Peanuts theme on air without prior clearance while he joked about potential costs to CBS.
- The fee was not disclosed and LMFP said it will donate the payment to World Central Kitchen, which also received a separate $2.5 million gift tied to Colbert’s final week.
- LMFP has moved to aggressively protect the Guaraldi catalog this month, filing multiple suits that cite unauthorized uses by private companies and a federal agency.
- Industry practice allows retroactive clearances like this one to settle broadcast misuses, and rights holders say the outcome underscores the need for written licenses and tighter clearance checks by producers and networks.