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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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76. The Band is right. Any creative person has to protect their idea, their image, or their creative essence. The industry is becoming very anti talent. Look at all of the reality junk. The hardware based films and gaming. Actors, musicians, writers are way at the back of the line.

Anti-talent, anti-competitive political pawns. Corporate shills. Puppets. You are either a right wing puppet or a left wing puppet, or you are not on the air.

This is why the internet has become so huge. They are ruining their own industry.

Posted at 4:50PM on Nov 21st 2007 by claire collins

77. When the show was first advertised, I expected the RHCP tune to be the theme song. But the other writer is correct-- the term was NOT coined by the Peppers, so I don't see why the show can't use it. It's kind of like Winchester suing the Beatles for calling their album 'Revolver'. The suit will be thrown out, I'm sure.

Posted at 9:04PM on Nov 21st 2007 by duchovny & chilli pepper fan

78. I think the red hot chili peppers should sue them because if you know what that whole album was about you would really know why the're saying that their stealing their identity

Posted at 2:25PM on Nov 24th 2007 by nanababy

79. I think the red hot chili peppers should sue them because if you know what that whole album was about you would really know why the're saying that their stealing their identity

Posted at 2:26PM on Nov 24th 2007 by nanababy

80. It's interesting to me that so many people who have commented here seem to know exactly how much money TRHCP have. Can anyone tell me how much money each member has in savings, Roth IRA's, stocks, trusts, etc? I didn't think so. So stop calling them greedy first of all. Did you even know some of them have families and that they play benefit concerts for FREE and individually give money to charities of their choice. Do your homework before you call someone greedy. Secondly, Showtime crossed the line and they know it. If anyone is at fault here it's Showtime, and they should be forced to cease using the name. I don't believe TRHCP will receive any of the profits from the show (if it's made any), but any fool knows when you sue, you do it right and ask for the moon, not just some moon dust. That way, you get what you really want. In this case, they want them to stop using the name, and they'll win unless they get a real nitwit judge.

Posted at 10:56PM on Nov 25th 2007 by BhamJoel

81. Hey guys! Im a big pepper fan, they are among my favorite bands for not saying my favorite, but I really do think that if Showtime involves Tom Petty and his "Last Dance with Mary Jane" the peppers will just shut up.

Posted at 8:45PM on Dec 6th 2007 by Diego Ardon

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