Sting’s Ex-Bandmates Sue Over Royalties

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The Police Bandmates Sue Sting Over Royalties for “Every Breath You Take”

(Last Updated: October 26, 2023)

Andy summers and Stewart Copeland allege they were never properly credited as songwriters on “Every Breath You Take,” nor have they received royalties for their contributions to the song. The lawsuit,filed in London High Court,seeks to rectify this alleged oversight and secure fair compensation for their work.

The background: “Every Breath You Take” – A Song’s Dual Legacy

“Every breath You Take,” released in 1983,was The Police‘s first and only Number One hit in the United States. The song, characterized by its distinctive guitar riff and seemingly romantic lyrics (though Sting has described it as being about obsessive control), became a defining track of the 1980s.

Though, the song’s impact didn’t end with its initial release. “every Breath You Take” experienced a significant resurgence in popularity in 1997 when it was prominently sampled in Puff Daddy (now Diddy) and Faith evans’ tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.,”I’ll Be Missing You.” This sampling dramatically increased the song’s earning potential and extended its reach to a new generation of listeners.

The core of the dispute centers on the claim that Summers and Copeland’s instrumental contributions were integral to the song’s success, and therefore deserving of songwriting credit and associated royalties.

The Claims: Songwriting Credit and Royalty Distribution

According to the lawsuit, Sting (Gordon Matthew Sumner) and Magnetic Publishing are the defendants. Summers and copeland argue that their musical contributions were substantial enough to warrant co-writing credit. Specifically, they claim:

• They were not properly credited as songwriters on “Every Breath You Take.”
• They have not received royalties for their songwriting contributions.
• The royalties generated from both the original song and its use in “I’ll Be Missing You” should be distributed more equitably.

The exact nature of their contributions is not yet fully detailed in publicly available reports, but it is indeed understood to relate to the song’s arrangement, instrumental parts (particularly Summers’ guitar work and Copeland’s drumming), and overall musical structure.

The financial Stakes: “Every Breath You Take” – A Multi-Million Dollar Song

“Every Breath You Take” is estimated to have generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue over its lifetime. The song has consistently ranked among the most-played songs on radio and streaming platforms.The inclusion of the song in “I’ll Be Missing You” added a significant revenue stream through sampling royalties.

While precise figures are challenging to ascertain without access to internal financial records, industry experts estimate that the song continues to generate substantial income annually. the lawsuit seeks a fair share of these earnings for Summers and Copeland.