A bitter legal dispute over millions of pounds in streaming royalties has reached the High Court in London, pitting iconic musician Sting against his former bandmates in The Police.
The Core of the Royalty Dispute
The case centres on whether revenue from streaming services, estimated at a substantial £1.5 million ($2 million), should be included in so-called "arranger's fees" owed to drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers. Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, was the band's frontman, bassist, and principal songwriter.
Barristers for Copeland and Summers argue that agreements dating back to the band's formation in 1977 entitle them to 15% of publishing income as arranger's fees, which should apply to all forms of commercial exploitation, including streaming. Their counsel, Ian Mill KC, stated the musicians understood a 2016 settlement agreement guaranteed them a share of money "from all publishing income derived from all manner of commercial exploitation".
Conflicting Interpretations of Historic Agreements
Representing Sting and his company Magnetic Publishing, Robert Howe KC contested this interpretation. He argued the arranger's fees should only apply to mechanical income "from the manufacture of records", such as vinyl and cassettes, not digital streaming. This distinction is crucial in the modern era, where the band's biggest hit, Every Breath You Take, has been streamed over 3 billion times on Spotify alone.
The court heard that since legal action began in late 2024, Sting has paid more than £595,000 in what were described as "certain admitted historic underpayments". However, he disputes the wider claim for streaming royalties. Howe urged the court to focus on the "professionally drafted" 2016 agreement as the key document.
Broader Implications for the Music Industry
This high-profile case could set a significant precedent for how historic band agreements are interpreted in the streaming era. It highlights the ongoing tension between legacy contracts and new digital revenue models that were unimaginable when The Police dominated global charts.
The band, which formed in 1977 and split in 1984, achieved massive success with hits like Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, and Don't Stand So Close to Me. Their final album, Synchronicity, featured Every Breath You Take, which became the bestselling US single of 1983.
In a parallel development, a verdict is expected on 16 February in a similar case involving the estates of Jimi Hendrix Experience members Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, concerning unpaid royalties from streaming classic albums. The hearing for The Police case is due to conclude on Thursday, with a full trial expected at a later date.
