Red Hot Chili Peppers sue Showtime over Californication

There was once a time where the Red Hot Chili Peppers were greatly admired, not only for their musical talent and courageous sock-wearing, but for who they were. To their loyal fans, the Chili Peppers have always come off as laidback, embracing the California lifestyle that has helped shape their unpretentious attitudes and wicked-funky tunes. Now, after all these years, with great sadness we report that these iconic alt-rockers have perhaps lost sight of their roots.

Billboard.com has reported that yesterday (Nov. 19) the Red Hot Chili Peppers filed a suit against cable network Showtime for naming its new David Duchovny-starring series Californication, which is also the title of the band's 1999 album and hit single. What are the demands? The fearsome foursome feels like they deserve the trademark as well as the sole right to use the word, along with any profits that the show has already accrued with the use of the name.

The band is claiming that "'Californication' is the signature CD, video and song of the band's career.” Really? I mean, seriously? what about Blood Sugar Sex Magik which helped solidify the Chili Peppers' superstar standing, or single “Under the Bridge,” which can be heard anywhere from hard-rock radio to easy-listening stations to any Karaoke bar anywhere?

Frontman Anthony Kiedis has gone on to express his distaste with the network's piggy-backing off of his band's creativity, stating, “For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right.”

Now, wait a minute... Red Hot Chili Peppers. Where does that name come from? Seems like the Chili Peppers didn't so much mind identity theft when it came to borrowing someone else's idea for their name.

Oh, how quick those rock stars forget.

Related links:
RedHotChiliPeppers.com
Showtime's Californication official site
Paste: Red Hot Chili Peppers secure no. 1 album spot

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