Motley Crue sues network

Motley Crue has sued NBC in Los Angeles federal court, accusing the network of banning the heavy metal band from its television programs to curry favor with federal regulators cracking down on indecency.

Motley Crue, best known for 1980s hits including “Girls, Girls, Girls,” was banned from appearing on NBC after its lead singer, Vince Neil, used a profanity during a New Year’s Eve 2004 broadcast of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” according to court papers.

The suit, which was filed Tuesday, seeks a court-ordered lifting of the NBC ban, a declaration that the ban was illegal and unspecified damages.

In a statement, NBC said Neil had “violated NBC’s standards” and added that the network “has the right to decide not to invite back guests who violate those standards and use an expletive during a live entertainment program.”