Sting‘s former Police bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have launched legal action against the singer over unpaid royalties from one of the band’s biggest hits, “Every Breath You Take”.
The lawsuit, filed in London High Court, claims the duo were never properly credited as songwriters on the track and have consequently missed out on substantial royalty payments (as per Rolling Stone).
The legal dispute centres on songwriting contributions that Summers and Copeland allege they made to the iconic 1983 single. While Sting has traditionally been credited as the sole writer of “Every Breath You Take”, his former bandmates maintain they played significant roles in crafting the song that became the Police’s first and only number one hit in the US.
The financial implications of this dispute extend far beyond the original recording. “Every Breath You Take” experienced a massive commercial resurgence when it was heavily sampled in Puff Daddy and Faith Evans’ 1997 tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll Be Missing You”. This second wave of success generated millions in additional royalties, money that Summers and Copeland claim they should have received a share of.
According to reports, lawyers representing both sides attempted to reach an out-of-court settlement but negotiations reached a stalemate. A source familiar with the case indicated that “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
The timing of this lawsuit is particularly significant given Sting’s recent business dealings. In 2022, the singer sold his entire songwriting catalogue to Universal Music Group in a deal estimated to be worth $250 million. This transaction covered both his solo work and compositions created during his time with the Police, potentially complicating the current legal proceedings.
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Both Sting, listed under his legal name Gordon Matthew Sumner, and his publishing company Magnetic Publishing are named as defendants in the suit. The case has been categorised in the London High Court database under “general commercial contracts and arrangements”, suggesting the dispute involves specific contractual obligations regarding songwriting credits and royalty distribution.
