A high court battle over unpaid royalties has pitted Sting against his former Police bandmates, with implications for the music industry in the streaming era. The court in London heard that Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, has paid more than £595,000 to drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers since they brought legal action over unpaid fees.
The dispute centres on whether streaming revenue, estimated at £1.5m, should be included in 'arranger's fees' owed to Copeland and Summers. Sting's representative argued that an agreement giving the other two musicians 15% of publishing income as arranger's fees does not apply to streaming, only to physical products like vinyl and cassettes.
The case hinges on the interpretation of agreements from 1977 to 2016, particularly the phrase 'mechanical income' and 'public performance fees'. Copeland and Summers argue that the 2016 settlement entitles them to a share of all publishing income from all commercial exploitation, including streaming.
The hearing is due to conclude on Thursday, with a trial expected later. A similar case involving the Jimi Hendrix Experience estates is also pending.
