Chili Peppers Sue Over 'Californication'

Band knocks Showtime for 'stealing' album's title for TV show

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2007 9:35 AM CST

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Chili Peppers Sue Over 'Californication' — The Red Hot Chili Peppers pose with their awards at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in this Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 file photo, in Los Angeles. The Peppers on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007 sued Showtime Networks over the name of the television series "Californication," which is also the name of the band's 1999... (Associated Press)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are suing Showtime for stealing the title of their 1999 hit album. The cable network's "Californication" series, which stars David Duchovny, also features a character called Dani California—the title of a 2006 Chili Peppers song. The suit, for unfair competition, dilution of the value of the name, and unjust enrichment, seeks damages and an injunction against further use of the title.

“Californication is the signature CD, video and song of the band’s career, and for some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right,” said the LA punk rock band's frontman, Anthony Kiedis. Show creator Tom Kapinos says he first heard the term in Oregon in the '70s, according to the Hollywood Reporter. (More Red Hot Chili Peppers stories.)

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