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Sting sued by former members of The Police over royalties

byQG
|
03 Sep 2025 08h00
© Picture Alliance / Hanne Jordan / Hanne Jordan

Sting is being sued by his former bandmates from The Police in a dispute over royalties.

Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland have filed a claim at London’s High Court, alleging they were underpaid for recordings made with the band between 1977 and 1984.

The pair argue they were unfairly compensated for songs such as Roxanne and Every Breath You Take, despite not being credited as songwriters. They insist that the trio had an “oral agreement” in 1977 to share revenues, which was later formalised in written contracts.

Sting, 73, has denied the allegations, with his lawyers dismissing the claims as “illegitimate.”

From its formation in 1977 until its split in 1984, The Police enjoyed huge global success. Their track Every Breath You Take reached number one on the U.S. charts in 1983.

(QG - Source: BBC News - Picture : © Picture Alliance / Hanne Jordan / Hanne Jordan)