The Facts: A $300 Million Battle
BREAKING NEWS – AUGUST 25, 2025: According to reports from the Daily Mail and The Sun, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a lawsuit at the High Court in London against Gordon Matthew Sumner (Sting) and his company Magnetic Publishing Limited. The case is classified as “general commercial contracts and arrangements” at the British High Court.
A source revealed to The Sun: “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative but court, so they pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.” Lawyers had repeatedly attempted out-of-court settlements before negotiations reached a stalemate.
The Stakes: Every Breath You Take
The Daily Mail reveals that Sting earns around £550,000 a year from royalties for “Every Breath You Take” alone, the fifth best-selling single of the 1980s. However, a spokesman for Sting denied that the legal action is specifically related to this song.
The matter is complicated by the sale of his catalog: in February 2022, Sting sold his entire catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group for over $300 million, including all of The Police’s songs.
Unpaid Royalties: What to Do? Music Royalties: The Heart of the Conflict
Copyright in Bands: Who Owns What? The Police case highlights one of the most complex issues in music law: the distribution of copyright among band members. The Police disbanded in the mid-80s after selling 75 million records worldwide, with “Every Breath You Take” as the best-selling single of 1983.
The dispute revolves around the economic rights to the band’s historic songs and the management of royalties derived from:
- Digital streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube)
- Synchronizations in films and commercials
- Public performances and live concerts
- Related rights for remasters and compilations
Unpaid Royalties: How to Protect a Band’s Music Rights: A History of Conflict and Creative Tensions
The Police, founded in London in 1977, had complex internal dynamics from the beginning. Copeland recruited Sting after seeing him with the jazz fusion band Last Exit, while Summers joined shortly after, completing the historic trio lineup.
Sting admitted in 2012: “We cared deeply about the music, and we’re all strong characters, and nobody would be pushed around. We fought about everything.” Tensions reached a climax during the recording of “Synchronicity” (1984), with members recording in separate rooms to avoid conflict.
The group broke up in 1984 without a formal farewell but reunited for the 2007-2008 world tour which generated £292 million from 151 dates. Summers told the Daily Mail he earned “1 million dollars per performance: the biggest money I’ve ever made.”
The Legal Analysis: How to Resolve the Unpaid Royalties Case
Defensive Strategy for Sting As a lawyer specializing in music law, I would approach Sting’s defense by focusing on:
- Contract Review: A detailed analysis of the band’s original agreements to identify the actual agreed-upon sharing percentages.
- Documentation of Credits: Verification of registrations with collecting societies to establish who is listed as the author/composer of the individual songs.
- Royalty Calculation: A complete audit of payments made over the years to demonstrate the correctness of the distributions.
- Statute of Limitations: Evaluation of the statute of limitations for any credits dating back beyond legal deadlines.
Prevention for Musicians: Lessons from the Case
The Police case is emblematic of errors that every professional musician can avoid:
- Clear band contracts
- Defining percentages for copyright vs. related rights
- Revenue-sharing clauses for future proceeds (streaming, sync, live)
- Management of the brand and rights to the band’s name
- Exit strategy in case of breakup
Creative Documentation
- Registration of contributions of each member to the composition
- Precise copyright notices on lyrics and music
- Transparent and verifiable publishing agreements
- Documented and traceable revenue sharing
Implications for the Music Industry
Music Dispute Trends This case represents “the last chapter of a long series of disagreements between the three musicians, who have been confronting each other on financial and rights issues for years,” highlighting a growing trend in the industry: disputes over music rights are increasing due to:
- The streaming boom that has revolutionized revenues
- Valorization of the historical catalog through new platforms
- Inflation of the value of royalties for iconic songs
- Greater legal awareness among artists
Prevention is Better Than Cure
For music producers, managers, and emerging artists, the Police case demonstrates the importance of:
- Detailed contracts from the beginning of the collaboration
- Specialized legal counsel in structuring agreements
- Financial transparency in revenue management
- Preventive mediation to resolve disputes before they go to court
The Value of Specialized Advice
The Sting vs. The Police case is not just a dispute between millionaire rock stars but an important precedent for the entire music industry. The complexity of modern music law requires specialized skills to avoid costly and reputation-damaging litigation.
Do you have a band? Are you negotiating a record deal? Are your music rights adequately protected? Don’t wait for a rights dispute to become a court case. Legal prevention is always more convenient than procedural resolution. For specialized advice in music law and royalty management, contact DANDI.MEDIA – Your legal partner in the entertainment industry.
Dandi Law Firm provides legal assistance in Copyright and Music. Check out our Services or contact Us!
