Sting Settles Royalty Dispute with The Police Bandmates
Sting, the iconic frontman of The Police, has reportedly paid his former bandmates, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, over $800,000 (£595,000) following a dispute over unpaid royalties. Court documents reveal the settlement came after the bandmates initiated legal proceedings last year, alleging they were owed a substantial sum for hits like “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take.”
The Royalty Dispute: A History
Summers and Copeland initially claimed they were due between $2 million (£1.5m) and $10.75 million (£8m) in royalties. During a recent hearing, their legal team indicated the claim could exceed £8 million. The core of the dispute centers around an alleged “oral agreement” established in 1977, later formalized in written contracts, to share income despite Sting being the primary composer.
The agreement recognized that Summers and Copeland often made crucial contributions to The Police’s sound – notably Andy Summers’ distinctive guitar line in “Every Breath You Take.” As a result, a system was implemented where publishing income earned by any member would be shared, typically at a rate of 15%, as an arranger’s fee.
Streaming Revenue and the Modern Music Landscape
The bandmates argue that Sting has withheld payments owed under this arrangement. Their lawyers are now seeking permission to expand the claim to include revenue generated from downloads and streaming services, citing the significant shift in the music industry. They contend that the terms of previous agreements (1997 and 2016) should be interpreted in light of this evolution, where streaming has largely replaced physical sales.
However, Sting’s legal team maintains that royalties from streaming services like Spotify constitute “public performance” rather than a sale, and therefore are not subject to the original agreement. They also argue that the 2016 agreement only covers royalties derived from the “manufacture of records.” They are seeking to have the amended claim dismissed, arguing it has little chance of success.
The Police: A Legacy of Innovation
Formed in 1977, The Police quickly rose to prominence, blending rock, reggae, and new wave influences. Their hits, including “Message in a Bottle,” “Walking on the Moon,” and “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” topped charts worldwide. “Every Breath You Take” became a global phenomenon, achieving the status of the most-played radio song of all time and being famously sampled in P Diddy and Faith Evans’ 1997 hit, “I’ll Be Missing You.”
Despite their success, The Police disbanded in 1984 amidst internal tensions. They briefly reunited in 2007 for a Grammy Awards performance and a highly successful world tour before dissolving again. In 2022, Sting sold his songwriting catalog to Universal Music Group in a deal estimated at $200 million.
The preliminary hearing concluded on Thursday, with a full trial expected to take place at a later date. This case highlights the ongoing complexities of royalty distribution in the evolving music industry, particularly concerning the impact of streaming on established agreements.
