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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Shahana Yasmin

Sting faces lawsuit from Police members over claims of unpaid song royalties

  • Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland have filed a civil suit against Sting in London, claiming unpaid royalties and songwriting credits for songs like "Roxanne" and "Every Breath You Take".
  • The pair allege an "oral agreement" to share publishing income was later formalised but not honoured, leading to them being underpaid.
  • Summers and Copeland are seeking an estimated £1.5m in damages, arguing they are entitled to a share of both mechanical and performance royalties.
  • Sting denies the claims, with his lawyers stating existing agreements were honoured and a 2016 revision included a clause preventing further claims.
  • The dispute highlights long-standing tensions within The Police, with Summers asserting his crucial contribution to "Every Breath You Take" despite Sting being the sole credited writer.

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