Music Icon SUED—Bandmates Demand Millions

The legacy of one of rock’s most iconic songs now faces a courtroom showdown, as Sting’s former Police bandmates demand millions in royalties they say were wrongly denied for decades.

Story Snapshot

Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a lawsuit against Sting over unpaid royalties from the 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take.”
The lawsuit claims Summers and Copeland were denied proper songwriting credit and compensation, including from the song’s lucrative sampling by Puff Daddy in 1997.
The case highlights long-standing tensions within The Police and broader music industry issues about credit, royalties, and catalog sales.
The outcome could set a precedent for similar royalty and songwriting disputes in the music world.

Police Bandmates Bring Royalties Dispute to Court

On August 27, 2025, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, both founding members of The Police, officially filed a lawsuit in London’s High Court against Sting and his publishing company, Magnetic Publishing Ltd. The suit alleges that Summers and Copeland are owed millions in unpaid royalties from the band’s most enduring hit, “Every Breath You Take.” Central to their claim is the argument that they did not receive proper songwriting credit or compensation, especially as the song has generated continuous revenue through both radio play and high-profile sampling over the years.

Summers and Copeland argue that their creative contributions to the song’s arrangement and performance were essential to its massive success, yet they have been excluded from the royalty stream, which has flowed almost exclusively to Sting as the sole credited songwriter. The lawsuit follows decades of unresolved disputes, failed settlement talks, and growing frustration over missed earnings, particularly after the song was sampled in Puff Daddy’s 1997 hit “I’ll Be Missing You,” which brought in another wave of royalties attributed solely to Sting.

Decades of Tension Underpin the Legal Battle

The feud dates back to the early 1980s, when The Police, consisting of Sting, Summers, and Copeland, became global superstars. “Every Breath You Take,” released in 1983, became the band’s only U.S. No. 1 single and remains one of the best-selling singles of the decade. Despite their collective success, only Sting was credited as the songwriter, granting him full control over royalty payments. This arrangement fueled internal disputes and set the stage for today’s legal battle. Over the years, intermittent attempts to resolve the matter out of court failed, and the band’s 2007–2008 reunion did little to heal old wounds.

Adding to the complexity, Sting sold his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music Group in 2022 for an estimated $300 million. This sale further entrenched his financial advantage, while Summers and Copeland remained excluded from the substantial proceeds generated by the band’s catalog, especially “Every Breath You Take.” Now, with the lawsuit, the two former bandmates aim to challenge the existing royalty structure and seek recognition for their creative input.

Industry Implications and Stakeholder Reactions

The case has drawn attention from legal experts, industry analysts, and musicians alike, as it raises broader questions about credit, compensation, and the value of collaborative work. If Summers and Copeland prevail, the decision could trigger a wave of similar lawsuits from artists who feel shortchanged by historical royalty arrangements. Music industry observers note that the outcome may influence how future catalog sales are structured, especially as sampling and licensing deals become increasingly lucrative in the digital era.

Sting Sued by Former Police Bandmates over Unpaid Royalties https://t.co/pDhttXm2uu

— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) August 29, 2025

Sting and his representatives have declined public comment, with a spokesperson disputing that the case is solely about “Every Breath You Take.” Universal Music Group, which now owns the rights to Sting’s catalog, may also face financial repercussions depending on the court’s decision. As the lawsuit moves forward, the spotlight remains on the balance between individual authorship and collaborative creation—a debate that extends far beyond The Police and resonates throughout the music industry.