Peppers sue over ‘Californication’

Showtime was sued Monday by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who said the cable television series “Californication” stole the title of their 1999 song and album by the same name.

In addition, the Showtime series includes a character nicknamed “Dani California,” which is also the title of one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ songs, the four band members said in a complaint filed in L.A. Superior Court. The band asked for a court order barring Showtime’s use of “Californication” and unspecified damages.

The Showtime series stars David Duchovny as a writer struggling to get his career back on track. Officials at the pay-cable channel could not be reached for comment.