CBS Will Pay for Use of 'Linus and Lucy' in Stephen Colbert Finale

Key Points:

• CBS has reached a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions for the use of Vince Guaraldi's composition "Linus and Lucy" in the May finale of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," with the payment amount undisclosed.
• Proceeds from the licensing deal will be donated by Lee Mendelson Film Productions to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit providing meals during global crises.
• The May 21 episode featured a performance of "Linus and Lucy" by Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine, during which Colbert humorously acknowledged the potential cost to CBS.
• Lee Mendelson Film Productions has been actively enforcing copyrights on Guaraldi's music, filing lawsuits against various entities for unauthorized use to protect the integrity of the works.
• The company emphasized that their enforcement aims to educate about the necessity of obtaining written licenses for commercial music use, while also supporting charitable causes like World Central Kitchen.