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.
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