Sting is reportedly being sued by his former Police bandmates over lost royalties.
The soloist and ex-frontman/primary songwriter of the London trio (real name Gordon Sumner) is being taken to court for “substantial” damages by guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. It follows years of legal disputes between the group.
That’s according to The Sun, which cites a source who claimed that “this has been coming for quite some time”.
“Lawyers tried repeatedly to reach an out-of-court settlement but hit a stalemate,” they continued.
“Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
The case is said to have been listed at London’s High Court under “general commercial contracts and arrangements”. Sting appears as a defendant along with his company, Magnetic Publishing Limited.
The Police formed back in 1977, before breaking up in the mid-’80s.
Their classic hit ‘Every Breath You Take’ – which appears on the band’s fifth and final album, ‘Synchronicity’ – was the best-selling single of 1983, and the fifth best-selling of the decade.
Sting, who is credited as the sole songwriter on the track, reportedly earns £550,000 a year in royalties from that song alone.
A spokesman for Sting denied the legal action was related to ‘Every Breath You Take’, per the article. However, they did not elaborate on the case.
The Police have reunited on numerous occasions in the past, with their most recent shows taking place in 2008.
Sting has enjoyed a hugely successful solo career, too. He headlined this year’s editions of the Isle Of Wight Festival and Latitude, and will bring his Sting 3.0 tour to London this autumn. Find any remaining tickets here.
In 2023, The Police launched an official TikTok account to mark the 40th anniversary of ‘Synchronicity’.
Sting said in 2021 that he regretted reforming the trio in 2007, calling the tour that followed “an exercise in nostalgia”. He explained at the time that he preferred being a solo artist due to the “total freedom” it offered.
“It’s not a power thing, at all; it’s just about producing exactly the brand and style of music that feels right for you,” he said.
Earlier this year, Sting praised the choir cover of his song ‘Fragile’ that features on Adolescence, calling the rendition “beautiful”.
