"Peanuts" music owner sues U.S. government over use of iconic songs

U.S. "Peanuts" music owner sues U.S. government, 3 companies over use of iconic songs Updated on: May 21, 2026 / 6:18 AM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google The owner of the music of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and other "Peanuts" television specials filed four lawsuits Wednesday against defendants including the U.S. Department of the Interior, alleging they illegally used the jazzy ditties of pianist Vince Guaraldi in social media posts and a video game.Lee Mendelson Film Productions filed the suits in federal courts in New York and Washington, D.C. The defendants also include a video game company, an auction house and a belt-maker.One lawsuit argues the Interior Department did not have permission to use Guaraldi's arrangement of "O Tannenbaum" from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in a digital holiday card posted to social media.The department said in an email to The Associated Press that it does not comment on litigation.Another lawsuit alleges Heritage Auctions illegally used "Linus and Lucy" - the beloved non-Christmas song the kids dance to in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" that has become the de facto "Peanuts" theme - in posts on Facebook and Instagram promoting an auction of collectibles. Similar claims of social media misuse come in another suit against Buckle-Down Inc., a belt company that makes "Peanuts" themed products.Christina Rees, a representative of Heritage Auctions, said in an email, "At this time, Heritage has not been served with or reviewed the complaint. If and when we receive it, we will review the allegations and respond as appropriate."Email messages seeking comments from the other defendants were not immediately answered. The company decided to take the sweeping action after what they said was becoming an intolerable digital glut of unfair use of the music.Attorney Marc Jacobson said in a statement that Lee Mendelson Film Productions "will no longer tolerate companies using their property without a license, especially in this era of instant digit...