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Lee Mendelson sues four over unauthorized Peanuts music

5/21/2026

Summary

Mendelson Sues

Lee Mendelson Film Productions filed four federal lawsuits Wednesday alleging illegal use of Vince Guaraldi’s “Peanuts” music.
The suits allege unauthorized use by the Interior Department, Heritage Auctions, Buckle-Down Inc., and GameMill Entertainment.
GameMill faces $300,000 in damages for copying “Linus and Lucy” and “Skating” in its 2025 game “Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club.”
The Interior Department declined comment.
Heritage Auctions said it has not yet been served.

Summary

GameMill Omits Guaraldi

Complaints were filed in the Southern District of New York (case No. 1:26-cv-00749) because GameMill omitted Guaraldi’s music despite licensing Peanuts characters for its 2025 game.
Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has sold over 5 million copies in the United States.
Lee Mendelson’s team includes Marc Jacobson, Hillel Parness, Jonathan King, Paul LiCalsi.
The Interior Department’s 2023 holiday card used Guaraldi’s “O Tannenbaum,” raising questions about use of copyrighted music.

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Mendelson Sues

Lee Mendelson Film Productions filed four federal lawsuits Wednesday alleging illegal use of Vince Guaraldi’s “Peanuts” music.
The suits allege unauthorized use by the Interior Department, Heritage Auctions, Buckle-Down Inc., and GameMill Entertainment.
GameMill faces $300,000 in damages for copying “Linus and Lucy” and “Skating” in its 2025 game “Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club.”
The Interior Department declined comment.
Heritage Auctions said it has not yet been served.

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