The Police Royalty Dispute: Sting Settles with Bandmates Over $800,000 in Royalties
Sting has recently settled a legal dispute with his former bandmates from The Police, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, by paying them over $800,000 in royalties. The disagreement stemmed from the distribution of royalties for songs like Roxanne and Every Breath You Take. Summers and Copeland claimed they were owed more than $2 million from Sting and his publishing company, citing an oral agreement made in 1977 to share income from their compositions.
While Sting was the primary composer, Summers and Copeland argued that they made significant contributions to the band's music and were entitled to a share of the royalties. They alleged that Sting had been withholding payments from streaming and download sales. The bandmates had a longstanding arrangement to split publishing income, with an agreed-upon percentage going to each member as an arrangers' fee.
The legal dispute between the musicians revolves around the interpretation of their agreements from 1997 and 2016 in light of the changing music industry landscape, particularly the rise of streaming services. Summers and Copeland are seeking royalties from all downloads and streaming income, while Sting's lawyers argue that the bandmates are not entitled to royalties from streaming and digital sales under the terms of their 2016 agreement.
Despite a recent payment of $870,000 from Sting and his publishing company to Summers and Copeland, the bandmates claim that they are owed more due to historic underpayment. Sting's legal team maintains that the bandmates' attempt to amend their case should be dismissed as it lacks a real prospect of success. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of royalty distribution in the music industry.
The Police, formed in 1977, achieved commercial success with their unique blend of rock and reggae music. Hits like Message in a Bottle and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic propelled them to stardom, culminating in a US number one single with Every Breath You Take. Despite their success, personal and musical tensions led to the band's breakup in 1984.
In 2007, The Police reunited for a Grammy Awards performance and a subsequent world tour, but ultimately disbanded again after the tour's conclusion. Sting's recent sale of his songwriting catalogue to Universal Music Group for an estimated $200 million underscores the enduring legacy of his music career. The legal resolution with his former bandmates sheds light on the complexities of royalty disputes in the music industry.