Sting is reportedly being sued by his former Police bandmates, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, over lost royalties from the trio’s mega-hit Every Breath You Take. Sting is believed to earn around $738,628 a year in royalties for that single alone, while PRS for Music records show that only Sting (under his full name, Gordon Matthew Sumner) is listed as the only composer and author of the track…..

Here’s what’s going on regarding the lawsuit involving Sting and his former bandmates:

What’s Actually Happening?

1. 

Legal Action Filed

Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have filed a lawsuit against Sting—real name Gordon Matthew Sumner—and his company, Magnetic Publishing Limited, in London’s High Court. The suit is classified under “general commercial contracts and arrangements” and seeks millions in damages from unpaid royalties. Attempts at out-of-court resolution reportedly failed. 

2. 

Focus: “Every Breath You Take”

The claim centers specifically on royalties from the Police’s mega-hit “Every Breath You Take.” Summers and Copeland argue their creative contributions—particularly Summers’ iconic guitar line—have never been acknowledged or financially compensated, as Sting is the sole credited composer. 

3. 

Royalties & Numbers

Reported royalty figures vary slightly:

• The New York Post cites approximately $740,000 USD per year.  
• Other outlets estimate around £550,000 per year.  
• Spanish-language sources convert earnings to approximately €600,000–636,000 annually.  

4. 

Sting’s Position

Spokespeople for Sting have issued denials that this lawsuit is related to “Every Breath You Take,” though details remain vague. 

Context & Background

• Songwriting Credits Contention
  “Every Breath You Take” has long been credited solely to Sting, despite Summers’ rightful claim to authorship of the memorable guitar riff—a point he’s publicly emphasized over the years.  
• Song’s Value
  According to BMI, “Every Breath You Take” still generates between a quarter and a third of Sting’s publishing income, which underscores the financial significance at stake.  
• Long-Running Tensions
  This dispute isn’t new—Summers has voiced frustrations over credit and royalties for years, signaling discontent as early as 2023.  

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Parties Involved	Andy Summers & Stewart Copeland vs. Sting and Magnetic Publishing Limited
Claim	Loss of royalties from “Every Breath You Take” due to lack of songwriting credits
Stakes	Reported annual royalties: ~$740,000 USD / ~£550,000 / ~€600K–€636K
Current Status	Lawsuit filed; attempts at settlement failed
Sting’s Response	Denied link to that specific song; no full public comment

Let me know if you’d like to dive into legal precedents, songwriting credit cases, or breakdowns of royalty mechanics!