Sting Faces Legal Battle Over “Every Breath You Take” Royalties: Bandmates Sue For Millions
Maya Rivers here, a self-proclaimed poet chasing the rhythm of life in every word I write. While not every story sings like a sonnet, sometimes the drama of reality begs for a lyrical lens. And so, the tale of Sting and his former bandmates unfolds like a ballad of betrayal, legacy, and the price of fame.
It’s a legal storm brewing in the world of rock royalty. Sting, the iconic frontman of The Police, is facing a lawsuit from his former bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland over unpaid royalties from the band’s 1983 smash hit, “Every Breath You Take.” According to reports from The Sun and confirmed by the London High Court’s records, the dispute centers on songwriting credits — or rather, the lack thereof — for the guitarist and drummer.
The song, which remains one of the most successful tracks of the 1980s, reportedly earns Sting around $740,000 annually in royalties. However, Summers and Copeland claim they were never officially credited as co-writers of the track, thus missing out on millions in potential earnings over decades. The legal documents, filed under “general commercial contracts and arrangements,” list Sting — under his real name, Gordon Matthew Sumner — and his publishing company, Magnetic Publishing Limited, as defendants.
“This has been coming for quite some time,” a source told The Sun. “Lawyers tried repeatedly to reach an out-of-court settlement but hit a stalemate.” With negotiations failing, Summers and Copeland reportedly decided to take the matter to court, seeking millions in lost royalties.
Sting, now 73, rose to global fame as the driving force behind The Police, whose meteoric rise began with their 1979 album Reggatta de Blanc. The band scored five UK number one singles and reached the pinnacle of success in the U.S. with “Every Breath You Take.” Yet behind the scenes, tensions brewed. In a 2007 interview with the New York Times, Sting admitted the band was never a cohesive unit. “We didn’t go to school together or grow up in the same neighborhood. We were never a tribe,” he said. “We care passionately about the music and we’re all strong characters and nobody would be pushed around. We fought over everything.”
Despite their creative brilliance, the power struggles within the band ultimately led to their breakup shortly after their final tour in 1984. Sting went on to carve out a successful solo career with hits like “Fields of Gold,” “Englishman in New York,” and “Shape of My Heart.” Meanwhile, Summers and Copeland pursued their own musical ventures, but the financial disparity over one of the biggest songs of the decade has clearly left a bitter aftertaste.
While the legal battle is just beginning, fans and music historians alike are watching closely. This case could set a precedent for how songwriting credits — and the royalties that come with them — are handled in the music industry. After all, “Every Breath You Take” is more than just a hit; it’s a cultural touchstone. And now, it’s also the backdrop for a high-stakes legal showdown.
As the ink dries on this new chapter of rock ‘n’ roll history, one can’t help but wonder: will the rhythm of justice strike a chord, or will the melody of legacy remain unchanged?
Sources: Celebrity Storm and The Sun, New York Times, London High Court
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