Sting Is Reportedly Being Sued By His Former Police Bandmates Over Lost Royalties

Singer, songwriter and bassist Sting has reportedly been sued by his former The Police bandmates, who allege that they haven’t received songwriting royalties for some of the band’s biggest hits.

The Sun initially reported on the lawsuit and stated that guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland issued a High Court writ against their ex-bandmate. PEOPLE then viewed London’s High Court database, which listed the court documents as “general commercial contracts and arrangements.”

It’s also been reported by The Daily Mail that Sting allegedly earns £550,000 ($1.1 million AUD) annually in royalties for the iconic Police track, Every Breath You Take.

The single became the fifth best-selling song of the ‘80s and the best-selling song of 1983. According to reports, Copeland and Summers allege that they haven’t received co-writing credits on the song, nor have they received royalties.

Sting has been listed as a defendant on court documents, along with his firm, Magnetic Publishing Limited.

The Sun reports that Summers and Copeland are seeking “substantial” damages and added: “Andy and Stewart decided there was no alternative than court so pressed the button. They say they are owed millions in lost royalties.”

After forming in 1977, The Police released five albums, with their fifth and final LP, Synchronicity, arriving in 1983.

Containing the hit singles Every Breath You Take, King Of Pain, and Wrapped Around Your Finger, you’d think the band would have the world at their hands; however, they disbanded at the peak of their powers in 1984.

Following their disbandment, The Police periodically re-formed for one-off occasions before reuniting in early 2007 for a world tour which concluded in August 2008, making for the highest-grossing tour of 2007.

Sting has continued to tour and record as a successful recording artist—and theatre performer.

In April and May 2026, he’ll head to Australia for exclusive performances in Brisbane of his musical, The Last Ship. Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Chief Executive Rachel Healy recently remarked that it was a massive coup for Brisbane to secure Sting and his musical.