US EditionMusic Legend Faces Legal Battle as Former Bandmates Demand Unpaid Royalties
Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland allege Sting was credited solely for co-writing "Every Breath You Take," seeking millions in unpaid royalties through a lawsuit filed in 2025.
- Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, former members of The Police, have sued Sting and his company for lost royalties from the 1983 hit "Every Breath You Take."
- The dispute arises because Copeland and Summers claim they never received co-writing credits despite their significant musical contributions to the song.
- Despite several attempts, lawyers failed to reach an out-of-court settlement, leading to legal action in London’s High Court under general commercial contracts.
- The song, released in 1983, remains commercially successful with Sting earning around £550,000 annually from royalties, while Copeland and Summers claim they are owed millions.
- This lawsuit highlights ongoing conflicts among The Police, who broke up in 1984 and came together again for a short-lived tour during 2007-2008 without settling their royalty disagreements.
38 Articles
38 Articles
The 73-year-old British musician Sting has been sued by his former companions of the band The Police, who claim him millions of euros in rights...
Eldiario.es
elDiarioARBoth Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a claim for “substantial” damages after years of legal disputes
Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are suing Sting, the frontman and main songwriter of the disbanded trio The Police. The problem is money - they claim he owes them millions in unpaid royalties. They are seeking substantial damages from him.
Famous Legal Fights Between Bands
Former Police bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a lawsuit in London’s High Court against Sting (Gordon Sumner) and his publishing company, claiming millions in missing royalties. The dispute centers on songwriting credit and payments for the band’s 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take,” which continues to earn Sting an estimated £550,000 annually. Summers and Copeland argue they were never properly credited or compensated, despit…
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