More than four decades after its release, The Police’s classic ‘Every Breath You Take’ is at the centre of a legal battle. Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland have filed a High Court writ in London against Sting and his company Magnetic Publishing Limited, claiming “substantial” damages over lost royalties.
Released in 1983 on the band’s final album Synchronicity, the track became The Police’s biggest hit — topping the US Hot 100, winning a Grammy for Song of the Year, and later being recognised by BMI as the most played song in radio history. Sting retained sole writing credit, despite Summers’ iconic riff and Copeland’s contributions to the arrangement.
Tensions over credit resurfaced in 1997 when Puff Daddy’s chart-topping tribute ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ heavily sampled the song, with Sting alone receiving royalties. The track has since generated millions through licensing in films, TV and streaming, reportedly earning Sting around £550,000 annually.
Summers has long hinted at legal action, calling the issue “very contentious.” He maintains the song “was going in the trash” until his riff transformed it. Copeland has also expressed frustration over Sting’s sole credit.
The Police disbanded in 1984 but reunited briefly in 1986 and again in 2007 to 2008 for a world tour. Sting has yet to comment on the lawsuit.