Celebrity Justice
Chili Peppers to Showtime -- You Stole Our Name!

Posted Nov 19th 2007 7:23PM by TMZ Staff

The Red Hot Chili Peppers filed suit today against Showtime Networks over a new show called "Californication." In 1999, the band released a hit album with the same name. That album was named one of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time.

The suit, filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges Showtime and others violated federal trademark law. In the court documents, the band says the song "Californication" and the album achieved "extraordinary critical and commercial recognition," and according to a statement by lead singer Anthony Kiedis, "'Californication' is the signature CD, video and song of the band's career. For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right."

Band members want the show to stop using the name and to turn over any profits it made.

A rep for Showtime could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV, Music


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1. yep

Posted at 7:51PM on Nov 19th 2007 by omg

2. No surprise there...when I first saw the commercial for that show, I wondered what the Chili Peppers would have to say about it. Now we know! Why didn't that occur to the people from Showtime?

Posted at 7:52PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Flygirl

3. I thought they had a deal with the Chilli Peppers...sneaky bastards.

Posted at 8:01PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Nutage.com

4. WHATEVER! TRHCP already got enough money. Give the freakin show a break!!

Posted at 8:03PM on Nov 19th 2007 by miajackie

5. i love the red hot chili peppers

Posted at 8:07PM on Nov 19th 2007 by eminem

6. He looks so familiar. Seems saw him on a celebrity and millionaire dating site called wealthymingle.com. I'll help you guys check it out. What if it is true. That would be great.

Posted at 8:09PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Lawrence

7. Notice that the RHC waited until the show was a hit before they sued -- even though the show has been heavily advertized for months.
They should embrace the show, revised their song for it, and rake in the royalties instead of mounting this loser lawsuit.

Posted at 8:15PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Snarksnarksnark

8. @#4

Yea thought the Chili Peppers "Sold out"
Now i feel better they DID'NT..!!!!

Posted at 8:42PM on Nov 19th 2007 by LOL!!!!!

9. I wondered when I saw the promos... I thought maybe they'da cleared w/Chili Peppers first. DUR!

Posted at 8:46PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Jbo

10. for one... I highly doubt The Chili Peppers are suing anyone, more like their RECORD COMPANY is suing Showtime. Because that's the type of crap record labels resort too now... but at the end of the day, the Chili's coined the phrase, pay up bizatches!

Posted at 8:47PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Wick

11. The Chili's DID NOT COIN THAT PHRASE. The phrase dates back to the 70's. Do your research. The drugs must have killed some of their brain cells, especially since they haven't released a decent record since the 80's.

Posted at 9:03PM on Nov 19th 2007 by HotDogKing

12. What's in a name? Everything! What wankers these producers are to rip off another artist.
But rarely are TV producers artists -- they're so used to rupping off real talent that they forgot
that it illegal and morally reprehensible.

I hope the Red Hot Chili Peppers get them to take down the name and get every dime of profit from that show that so bodly stole their name.

Woudl McDonalds, or Coke or Walmart care if someone called a show using their name?
How about if another network called a series Showtime. Who do you think would be the first to sue?!

Damn right!!!! You caught them red handle Chili Peppers. Now, let's see if they can handle the heat,

Posted at 9:05PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Sam Adams

13. THIS SHOW HAS BEEN OUT FOR A GOOD WHILE NOW, So why wait till now to sue???

Posted at 9:08PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Reality

14. You mean to tell me that Show time or HBO has a show named after a band and it is not a band?
I love the red hot chilly peppers they did drugs they got clean they are true artists man.
I say no to the show. Man i have that show even on demand and I have never HAVE WATCHED IT OR WILL WATCH IT UNLESS ANTHONY KEDIS IS ALMOST NAKED WITH A LIGHT BULB ON HIS HED!

Posted at 9:18PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Rusty Vain

15. Make them stop using the name but let them keep whatever money they made? Don't the Chili Peppers have enough already? They just end up looking greedy.

Posted at 9:26PM on Nov 19th 2007 by charity

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