Two former members of The Police, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, have filed a lawsuit against Sting in London’s High Court. They are seeking their share of missing royalty money, claiming they never received royalties for writing some of the band’s hit songs. The legal papers were submitted on August 24, and while lawyers tried to reach an out-of-court settlement, they couldn’t come to an agreement.
The case is listed under general contracts and commercial arrangements. It names Sting, whose real name is Gordon Matthew Sumner, and his company, Magnetic Publishing Limited, as the defendants. The lawsuit involves millions of pounds.
The Police formed in London in 1977 and quickly rose to fame, selling 75 million records before their breakup in the mid-1980s. Their success included hits from albums like “Reggatta De Blanc.” One of their biggest songs, “Every Breath You Take,” reportedly earns Sting around £550,000 each year. However, Summers and Copeland did not receive credit for writing it.
When asked about the lawsuit, Sting’s team stated it’s not focused on “Every Breath You Take,” but they did not provide further details. Representatives for Summers and Copeland have not commented on the matter.
The last time the three musicians performed together was in 2007 during a tour that included 151 shows worldwide. Sting described the tour as an “exercise in nostalgia” and emphasized the collaborative nature of making music in a band. He also mentioned that being a solo artist gives him the freedom he enjoys.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!
