Red Hot Chili Peppers Sue Showtime  
Monday, November 19th, 2007

Showtime got served today, with a lawsuit from the Red Hot Chili Peppers over Showtime's new series "Californication."  No shiz...the Chili Peppers totally coined that term!  The 1999 hit "Californication" is about all you'll find when searching for that word.  And guess what Showtime is?  A subsidiary of CBS.  Doesn't all evil end up back there?  (Okay, maybe not all.)

The new series, which we hadn't even heard of until now, stars David Duchovny and Natascha McElhone (who both just lost points with us for working for CBS), and has nothing to do with the Red Hot Chili Peppers whatsoever.  It's about a writer in L.A. and his exes.  Zzzzzzzzz.

TMZ obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which reads in part:

"The title of ["Californication"] is inherently distinctive, famous, and has been the subject of the substantial advertising and promotion, has been used and advertised throughout the United States and the world, is widely recognized by consumers and those in the trade, and immediately associated [with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album]."

"Defendants' actions of creating, marketing, promoting, offering for distribution, distributing the television series "Californication" constitutes a false designation of origin, and has caused and continues to cause a likelihood of confusion, mistake, and deception as to source, sponsorship, affiliation, and/or connection in the minds of the public."

Hell yes - I wouldn't want to be associated with CBS, either!  All distaste for CBS aside, I have not heard of the Showtime series, but I would have instantly made the connection with the Red Hot Chili Peppers album in my mind, and honestly believe I would have thought it was a show related to the band had I not first stumbled upon the lawsuit.

There is not a set amount being asked for in the lawsuit, as it states, "Plaintiffs [the Chili Peppers] have been injured in an amount not yet fully ascertained, according to proof at trial."  They are requesting:  reimbursement of an amount that is still being added up, and that CBS/Showtime change the title of their series.

And in the last few pages:  "Plaintiffs are informed and believe, and thereon allege, that Defendants' actions have been fraudulent, knowing, willful, and wanton, entitling Plaintiffs to equitable relief including disgorgement and restitution."

Showtime even stole the #1 search result on Google for "Californication," because CBS hoards the media.  Wanton!  Throw the book at 'em, judge!

   

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