Sting Sued by Former Bandmates Over Alleged Lost Royalties from "Every Breath You Take"

Sting, the renowned musician and former frontman of the band The Police, is currently embroiled in legal troubles as his ex-bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a lawsuit against him. They allege that they have not received proper songwriting credits or payments for their contributions to the classic 1983 single "Every Breath You Take". The lawsuit was initiated in a high court in London and specifically focuses on claims related to song royalties, filed under the category of "general commercial contracts and arrangements." Sting, who is formally known as Gordon Matthew Sumner in legal contexts, is listed as a defendant alongside his company Magnetic Publishing Ltd.

The Police, which formed in 1977, achieved significant fame with their track "Every Breath You Take," which became a number one single in the United States and featured on their final album, "Synchronicity." This hit was not only the best-selling single in the U.S. for 1983 but also earned a place as one of the top-selling tracks of the decade. The song has remained culturally significant, even being sampled in the 1997 hit "I'll Be Missing You" by P Diddy and Faith Evans. While The Police are recognized for other hits like "Roxanne" and "Don’t Stand So Close to Me," they disbanded in 1984.

In the wake of the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Sting has denied that the legal dispute involves the song "Every Breath You Take," yet no further clarifications have been provided. The Police have reunited on several occasions and marked the 40th anniversary of their album "Synchronicity" with an official TikTok account in 2023. Reflecting on the band's reunion in 2007, Sting expressed some regret, describing the following tour as merely nostalgic. He emphasized his preference for a solo career, stating that it allows him the creative freedom to develop music that aligns with his personal vision.

Recently, in June, Sting showcased his enduring talent by performing at the Isle of Wight festival, delivering a set of his greatest hits including "Message in a Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon." Additionally, in January, he took part in the FireAid benefit concert in California. In a major financial move, in 2022, Sting sold his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music for an estimated $300 million. This deal aligns him with other legendary artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, who have also made headlines for their lucrative catalog sales amid the booming market for music rights.