Red Hot Chili Peppers have filed a lawsuit against a television series which shares its name with their 1999 album, Californication.

They launched the case against the Showtime Networks programme, which stars David Duchovny, yesterday (November 19th).

The band claim that the the title is "inherently distinctive, famous ... and immediately associated in the mind of the consumer" with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Anthony Kiedis, the band’s lead singer, added: "Californication is the signature CD, video and song of the band's career, and for some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right."

The lawsuit also explains how the TV programme stars a character called Dani California,’ which is the name of a single that Red Hot Chili Peppers released in 2006, reports AP.

The show's executive producer, Tom Kapinos claims he first heard the term Californication in reference to Oregon.

He said: "Apparently in the '70s there were bumper stickers that said 'Don't Californicate Oregon,' because Californians were coming up there, and I just thought it was a great, great title for this show."

The band are seeking a permanent injunction which will bar Showtime from using the title again.