Lawsuits Filed Over Unauthorized Use of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Music

The music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other “Peanuts” specials is at the center of legal action. The owner, Lee Mendelson Film Productions, filed four lawsuits against several defendants, including the U.S. Department of the Interior. The suits claim illegal use of Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy compositions in social media and a video game.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions lodged the cases in federal courts in New York and Washington, D.C. Among the defendants are a video game company, an auction house, and a belt producer. One complaint accuses the Interior Department of using Guaraldi’s “O Tannenbaum” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in a digital holiday card on social media without permission. The department has declined to comment on ongoing litigation.

Another suit targets Heritage Auctions, alleging unauthorized use of “Linus and Lucy” on Facebook and Instagram to advertise a collectibles auction. A similar claim has been made against Buckle-Down Inc., a company producing “Peanuts” themed products.

Christina Rees from Heritage Auctions responded via email, stating they have not yet been served with the complaint and will address the allegations when received. Other defendants have not returned requests for comment. The company aims to curb the perceived misuse of its music in the digital era.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions will no longer tolerate companies using their property without a license, especially in this era of instant digital sharing. The rights of creators and the protection of iconic cultural assets must be vigorously enforced, said attorney Marc Jacobson.

Peanuts Worldwide LLC, the owner of Charlie Brown and Snoopy characters, is not involved in these lawsuits. The fourth lawsuit claims GameMill Entertainment’s 2025 video game “Peanuts: Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club” used music too similar to Guaraldi’s works, including “Linus and Lucy” and “Skating.” The plaintiffs argue no permission was granted and seek over $300,000 in damages from GameMill. They also want a court injunction to prevent further violations.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions was established by the late Lee Mendelson who worked with “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz and director Bill Melendez. They released the first TV special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in 1965. Mendelson recruited jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi to provide its memorable music, such as “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Linus and Lucy.”

Jason Mendelson, Lee’s son, shared with CBS News in 2021 that Schulz initially didn’t know about the project. The special required the right music, and Mendelson chose Guaraldi after hearing one of his songs on the radio. Guaraldi, a Grammy-winning pianist, became linked with the “Peanuts” sound.

Initially, the opening song was instrumental, but Mendelson wrote the lyrics as time was short. The children’s choir voices came from members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California. “It’s fun to work with the kids. And this group here is fabulous,” Guaraldi once remarked.