Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland of The Police have filed a lawsuit against Sting—legally known as Gordon Matthew Sumner—and his publishing company, Magnetic Publishing Limited, in London’s High Court. They argue that they deserve co-writing credits and royalties for the band’s biggest hit, “Every Breath You Take” (1983), but were never compensated or credited.
The song continues to generate enormous income, estimated between £550,000 and over $740,000 for Sting each year. Despite that success, Summers and Copeland claim they were cut out of royalties due to the lack of proper songwriting recognition. After years of unsuccessful private negotiations, they are now seeking millions in lost payments through formal legal action.
Summers has long emphasized his role in shaping the track. He recalls that Sting initially had only a vocal line and basic chords, and it was his distinctive guitar riff that turned the song into something extraordinary. To this day, the riff is seen as a defining part of the band’s sound.
Sting’s representatives, however, have pushed back, denying that the dispute specifically concerns “Every Breath You Take.” The disagreement adds another layer of complexity to the band’s history, already known for its mix of creative brilliance and tension.
The song itself remains one of the most performed and recognizable tracks in rock history, topping charts on release and staying powerful in streaming and radio play decades later. Whether Sting or his bandmates are right in this dispute, what’s clear is that “Every Breath You Take” has carried a lasting legacy—and now, a bitter battle over who truly owns its soul.
