It was a lawsuit waiting to happen, and sure enough The Red Hot Chili Peppers have sued Showtime Networks over the name of its television series Californication. Californication was an instant hit with viewers in the US on cable and in Australia on Network 10 when he ran its 12 weeks course recently. Tho show stars David Duchovny as the main character and also Madeline Zima, who viewers knew as cute and innocent little Grace Sheffield in The Nanny. 22 year old Zima was basically playing a 16 year old devious slut. Californication was known for never being short on sex scenes, the threesome of episode 10 left viewers gobsmacked. I loved the series.
However, as we all know (and probably noted sagely as soon as the TV show promos begun on Channel Ten), Californication was already the name of the RHCP’s 1999 album and its lead single.
The lawsuit alleges unfair competition, dilution of the value of the name and unjust enrichment, claiming the title is “inherently distinctive, famous … and immediately associated in the mind of the consumer” with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Frontman Anthony Kiedis issued a statement reprimanding Showtime. “Californication is the signature CD, video and song of the band’s career,” he writes, “and for some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right.”
The lawsuit also draws attention to the fact that one of the show’s characters is called Dani California, the name of a 2006 Chili Peppers song. The band are seeking damages and a permanent injunction barring Showtime and its associates from using the title Californication.
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