Sting’s MULTIMILLION Lawsuit: Ex-Bandmates STRIKE

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Sting faces a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from his former Police bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, who claim they’ve been cheated out of songwriting credits and royalties for one of pop music’s most lucrative hits.

Story Snapshot

Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland filed suit against Sting in London High Court on August 27, 2025
The lawsuit centers on “Every Breath You Take,” which generates over $738,000 annually in royalties for Sting alone
Former bandmates claim they deserve co-writing credit and millions in unpaid royalties for their musical contributions
Failed settlement negotiations preceded the legal action after decades of unresolved tensions

Decades-Old Royalty Dispute Reaches Breaking Point

Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland officially filed their lawsuit against Sting and his publishing company Magnetic Publishing Limited after years of failed out-of-court settlement attempts. The London High Court case, categorized under “general commercial contracts and arrangements,” alleges that Sting has unjustly enriched himself by claiming sole songwriting credit for “Every Breath You Take” while his former Tbandmates received nothing despite their significant creative contributions to the 1983 masterpiece.

The timing of this legal action coincides with increased scrutiny of legacy music publishing deals, particularly after Sting sold his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music Group for an estimated $300 million in 2022. This massive payout highlighted the enormous ongoing value of The Police’s catalog, with “Every Breath You Take” serving as its crown jewel and primary revenue generator.

Musical Contributions Versus Legal Credits

Summers and Copeland argue their instrumental and rhythmic contributions were essential to creating the song’s distinctive sound and commercial success. Summers specifically claims credit for the iconic guitar riff that defines the track, while Copeland contributed the underlying drum patterns that drive the song’s hypnotic groove. Despite these contributions, Sting remains listed as the sole composer and author, receiving all songwriting royalties from the track’s continued success.

The song’s enduring popularity has generated substantial ongoing revenue through radio play, streaming platforms, sync licensing for films and television, and cover versions by other artists. Most notably, the 1997 sample by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans in “I’ll Be Missing You” significantly boosted the original track’s profile and earnings, further enriching Sting while his former bandmates received no additional compensation.

Industry Precedent and Financial Stakes

Legal experts note the complexity of proving co-authorship claims decades after a song’s release, especially when challenging established publishing credits and contracts. However, similar disputes involving legendary bands like Pink Floyd and The Beatles have occasionally resulted in retroactive credit changes and financial settlements, providing some precedent for Summers and Copeland’s claims.

Sting Sued by Former Police Bandmates over Unpaid Royaltieshttps://t.co/aExG9RlW3H

— lucky one USA. (@stewdude59) August 29, 2025

The financial implications are substantial, with industry analysts estimating potential damages in the millions based on the song’s four-decade earning history. “Every Breath You Take” continues generating over £550,000 annually for Sting through various revenue streams, representing just a fraction of the total earnings since its 1983 release. The outcome of this case could establish important precedent for how collaborative songwriting contributions are recognized and compensated in legacy band disputes.