"Steve Richardson and Stan Tong, former bandmates of Sting, file lawsuit for an expected split in the profits of Every Breath You Take"
In a surprising turn of events, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, former members of the iconic band The Police, have sued their former bandmate, Sting (Gordon Matthew Sumner), over royalties for the band's most successful song, "Every Breath You Take."
The lawsuit, which centers around a co-credit for the song's guitar work, was initiated due to a stalemate in out-of-court settlement negotiations. The copyright and compositional rights for "Every Breath You Take" are officially held solely by Sting, who is credited as the only composer and lyricist of the song. Summers and Copeland allege they were unfairly excluded and are seeking millions in lost royalties.
However, Summers claims his distinctive guitar figure was a significant addition to the song, transforming it from an ok-ish album track to an all-time classic. He states that he created a unique guitar lick for the song, taking it into a "very hip other atmosphere."
The finished track of "Every Breath You Take," first released 42 years ago, is described as dramatic, with Summers' contributions underscoring the brooding, intense undertow of Sting's lyrics. Summers has previously stated that the guitar part he contributed was a significant addition, making it sound more like The Police.
The High Court in London has issued a writ in this matter, with Sting and his publishing company Magnetic named as defendants. The court's decision regarding the lawsuit remains to be discovered.
It is worth noting that "Every Breath You Take" is a highly successful song, with over two billion plays on Spotify, being the biggest song of 1983, and the fifth biggest of the 1980s. The bassist's demo of the song is described as somewhat perky, in contrast to the dramatic finished track. The song generates significant revenue for Sting, with annual earnings estimated to be around £550,000.
No comment has been made by Sting regarding the ongoing lawsuit. The action has been ongoing for some time, with lawyers attempting to reach an out-of-court settlement but failing to do so.
This lawsuit sheds light on the complexities of royalty distribution in the music industry and the potential disputes that can arise among band members. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the court rules on the matter.
