Can’t stand losing out: battle over the Police’s royalties reaches high court

A high court battle is underway in London between Sting and his former bandmates from The Police, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, over unpaid royalties. Copeland and Summers are seeking over $2 million in "arranger's fees" from Sting, arguing they are owed a percentage of streaming revenue. Sting contends that the original agreements, including a 2016 agreement, only apply to mechanical income from physical records, not streaming. The dispute centers on the interpretation of agreements made between the band's formation in the late 1970s and 2016, specifically how "mechanical income" and "public performance fees" apply to streaming revenue. Since the legal action began in late 2024, Sting has already paid over £595,000 in admitted underpayments. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for music industry royalties in the streaming era.

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