Full Breakdown
Sting Sued by Former Police Bandmates Over Lost Royalties
8/28/2025, 8:39:51 PM
Legal Action Over "Every Breath You Take"
Sting, whose legal name is Gordon Matthew Sumner, is facing a lawsuit from his former bandmates in The Police, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. The lawsuit, filed in London’s High Court, claims that Summers and Copeland are owed "millions in lost royalties" related to the iconic 1983 hit "Every Breath You Take." The case is categorized under “general commercial contracts and arrangements,” indicating a dispute over contractual obligations regarding songwriting credits and royalty distribution.
According to reports from The Sun and The Daily Mail, Summers and Copeland allege they were never properly credited as songwriters for the track, which has generated substantial income for Sting, reportedly earning him approximately £550,000 (around $740,000) annually in royalties. The song, which topped the charts in the U.S. and became the best-selling single of 1983, has also enjoyed a resurgence in popularity due to its sampling in Puff Daddy's 1997 tribute "I’ll Be Missing You."
Background of the Dispute
The legal action follows years of unresolved disputes among the band members regarding songwriting credits. A source indicated that attempts to reach an out-of-court settlement had repeatedly stalled, leading Summers and Copeland to pursue legal action. The source stated, “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
Historically, tensions among the band members have been well-documented. Sting has previously remarked on the group's dynamic, stating, “We care passionately about the music and we’re all strong characters and nobody would be pushed around.” This friction reportedly reached a peak during the recording of their final studio album, *Synchronicity*, where members recorded parts in separate rooms to avoid conflict.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Sting's position argue that the contributions of Summers and Copeland to "Every Breath You Take" were significant enough to warrant co-writing credits. Summers has expressed his belief that his guitar riff was crucial to the song's success, stating, “There wasn't a guitar part on it when Sting wrote it... I just went into the studio and I heard the chord sequence for it, and it immediately came to me to play the riff I came up with.” This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate about the distribution of credit and royalties within the music industry.
Official Statements & Responses
As of now, neither Sting nor his representatives have publicly commented on the lawsuit. However, a spokesperson for Sting has previously denied that the lawsuit is directly related to "Every Breath You Take." The legal proceedings come on the heels of Sting's 2022 sale of his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music Group for an estimated $300 million, which included both his solo works and songs from his time with The Police.
What's Next
The lawsuit is set to unfold in the London High Court, where the court will determine the validity of Summers and Copeland's claims regarding songwriting credits and the associated royalties. The outcome could have significant implications for the financial arrangements of music royalties and the recognition of contributions by band members in collaborative works.
