CBS has struck a deal to pay Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc., an undisclosed amount after “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” used the famed Vince Guaraldi composition “Linus and Lucy” in the late night talk show’s May finale. As part of the licensing agreement, Lee Mendelson Film Prods. will donate those proceeds to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.
In a segment of the May 21 finale, Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine performed “Linus and Lucy” while Mr. Colbert discussed how Lee Mendelson Film Prods. has been enforcing its copyrights for the Guaraldi song catalog. On the episode, as Cato and the band performed the song, Colbert joked, “Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!”
World Central Kitchen is a non-for-profit org that provides meals throughout the globe during various crises, including natural disasters and civil unrest. Separately, on the penultimate episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the show and Colbert had donated $2.5 million to WCK and Andrés.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions is the owner and steward of Guaraldi’s music, and has indeed been aggressively protecting its copyright as of late, filing a series of legal actions that cite an apparel accessories manufacturer, a video game producer, a collectibles auction house and the U.S. Department of the Interior for unauthorized use.
