Sting Sued by Former Police Bandmates
Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers allege unpaid royalties
Sting is being sued by his former bandmates in The Police over alleged lost royalties.
The details:
Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are suing for “substantial” damages, claiming they were never given songwriting credits and have therefore never earned royalties from the band’s music.
Digital Music News quotes a “source familiar with the matter” who says: “This has been coming for quite some time. Lawyers tried repeatedly to reach an out-of-court settlement but hit a stalemate.”
The source adds: “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court, so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
Sting is listed as a defendant under his legal name, Gordon Sumner, as is his firm, Magnetic Publishing Limited.
The Police:
After forming in London in 1977, The Police released five studio albums before splitting in 1984.
They’re reported to have sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
A reunion tour in 2007-2008 was at the time the third highest grossing tour ever.
Sting is being sued by his former bandmates in The Police over alleged lost royalties.
The details:
Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are suing for “substantial” damages, claiming they were never given songwriting credits and have therefore never earned royalties from the band’s music.
Digital Music News quotes a “source familiar with the matter” who says: “This has been coming for quite some time. Lawyers tried repeatedly to reach an out-of-court settlement but hit a stalemate.”
The source adds: “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court, so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
Sting is listed as a defendant under his legal name, Gordon Sumner, as is his firm, Magnetic Publishing Limited.
The Police:
After forming in London in 1977, The Police released five studio albums before splitting in 1984.
They’re reported to have sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
A reunion tour in 2007-2008 was at the time the third highest grossing tour ever.
Sting is being sued by his former bandmates in The Police over alleged lost royalties.
The details:
Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are suing for “substantial” damages, claiming they were never given songwriting credits and have therefore never earned royalties from the band’s music.
Digital Music News quotes a “source familiar with the matter” who says: “This has been coming for quite some time. Lawyers tried repeatedly to reach an out-of-court settlement but hit a stalemate.”
The source adds: “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court, so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”
Sting is listed as a defendant under his legal name, Gordon Sumner, as is his firm, Magnetic Publishing Limited.
The Police:
After forming in London in 1977, The Police released five studio albums before splitting in 1984.
They’re reported to have sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
A reunion tour in 2007-2008 was at the time the third highest grossing tour ever.
Sting
The Police
Andy Summers
Stewart Copeland
Gordon Sumner
Magnetic Publishing Limited
Artist Rights And Royalty Disputes
Artist Lawsuits and Legal Battles
High-Profile Artist Litigation
Legal Battles Over Royalties
Band Infighting Leads To Litigation
Music Copyright Litigation
Recurring Copyright Claims
Royalty Disputes
Litigation
Songwriting Credit Dispute
Intra-Band Litigation
Legal Disputes
Copyright Infringement
United Kingdom
London, GB
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
- This story was written with information sourced from Digital Music News.
- We covered it because of the profile of The Police.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles
Policy & Legal
Jan 16, 2026
1 min read
Australian Radio Royalty Rates Set to Jump by 38%
The new rate is back dated to July 2023
Policy & Legal
Jan 14, 2026
1 min read
Bandcamp Lays Out Ban on AI-Generated Music
Bandcamp is the first major music store to present such restrictions
Policy & Legal
Jan 14, 2026
1 min read
US Judge Upholds Landmark Ruling That Songwriters Can Reclaim Their Copyrights Worldwide
The precedent was set by songwriter Cyril Vetter taking back global ownership of the 1963 song “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” from publisher Resnik Music Group
Australian Radio Royalty Rates Set to Jump by 38%
The new rate is back dated to July 2023
Rod Yates
Policy
Jan 16, 2026
Bandcamp Lays Out Ban on AI-Generated Music
Bandcamp is the first major music store to present such restrictions
Harry Levin
Policy
Jan 14, 2026
US Judge Upholds Landmark Ruling That Songwriters Can Reclaim Their Copyrights Worldwide
The precedent was set by songwriter Cyril Vetter taking back global ownership of the 1963 song “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” from publisher Resnik Music Group
Harry Levin
Policy
Jan 14, 2026
Lizzo Reaches Settlement in Copyright Case Tied to Unreleased Song
The track referenced Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad campaign
Rod Yates
Policy
Jan 13, 2026
Over 130 Music Professionals Demand EU Action on Unauthorized Ticket Resales
Signatories to the open letter include reps for A-list artists such as Radiohead, Oasis, and Ed Sheeran
Harry Levin
Policy
Jan 12, 2026
Elon Musk’s X Sues NMPA, 18 Publishers as Licensing Dispute Widens
The platform alleges collusion and anti-competitive behavior
Rod Yates
Policy
Jan 12, 2026
