CBS is set to pay Lee Mendelson Film Productions Inc. (LMFP) an undisclosed amount for unauthorized use of Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” track on the May 21 finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
However, in a serendipitous twist of fate, the proceeds will be used to support Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides meals across the world during natural disasters and civil unrest.
CBS licenses the Peanuts theme for The Late Show and proceeds will be offered to José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen
Immediately after reading the news, Colbert stated, “Anyone illegally using that music is gonna have to pay through the nose,” prompting the bandleader Louis Canto and the Big Joy Machine to play the iconic Vince Guaraldi track. Colbert looked directly at the camera and joked, “Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money.”
A LMFP representative clarified the recent spree of legal actions against illegal use of Guaraldi’s compositions, saying, “The lawsuits are intended to halt a pattern of infringement that threatens to diminish the integrity of these protected works, the Guaraldi music legacy, and other cherished creative content vulnerable to misuse in the modern media landscape.”
Referencing to the signature Peanuts theme used on the show, Chairman Jason Mendelson said, “LMFP found the music’s use on The Late Show funny and entertaining, and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission. A principal goal of our enforcement actions is to educate individuals, businesses, and government entities about the need to obtain written license agreements to use music in a commercial setting.”
Incidentally, Colbert had actually presented a massive $2.5 million donation to World Central Kitchen on behalf of The Late Show to Chef José Andrés during his second-to-last episode. The strict copyright policy protecting the iconic track to Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic characters, forces CBS to unintentionally add even more money to that exact same cause.
DO YOU THINK THE ILLEGAL USE OF THE TRACK WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR THE CHARITY?
