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High Court Hears Police Royalty Dispute as Sting Pays About $800,000 for Past Underpayments

The case turns on whether arranger agreements from the band’s early years extend to revenue from streaming platforms.

Overview

  • A two‑day preliminary hearing took place in London on January 14–15, with none of the former bandmates attending.
  • Sting’s lawyer, Robert Howe, told the court that roughly £600,000 (about $800,000) has been paid to Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland for admitted historical shortfalls.
  • Summers and Copeland say they have lost more than $2 million and seek additional multi‑million compensation with interest.
  • Their legal team asked to expand the claim to cover all downloads and streaming, saying the total would be at least $11 million if the amendment is allowed.
  • The dispute centers on contract language: the plaintiffs argue mechanical royalties should include streaming and digital downloads, while Sting contends streams are performances rather than sales; a full trial date has not been set.