Sting is expected to appear before the High Court in London on January 14, 2026: his former partners are suing him over a copyright dispute.

This is a case that revives old tensions within one of the most mythical groups of the 1980s. Sting is expected this Wednesday, January 14, before the High Court in London for a preliminary hearing in the dispute opposing him to Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland , his former partners in The Police .

The two musicians accuse the singer and his publishing company, Magnetic Publishing Limited, of failing to pay them certain royalties , and are claiming millions of pounds in lost royalties. After several unsuccessful attempts at an amicable settlement, the case is now in the hands of the British courts.

Global hits… and persistent disagreements

Formed in the late 1970s, The Police quickly established themselves as one of the world's leading pop-rock bands, with a string of hits that became cult classics: "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," "Walking on the Moon," and " Every Breath You Take ." But behind the success, artistic tensions and ego clashes marked the trio's history, culminating in their breakup in the mid-1980s. At the heart of the current legal dispute is the question of copyright distribution . Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are not credited as co-writers of several major songs in the band's repertoire, even though their arrangements and musical identity contributed significantly to the group's success.

According to estimates in the British press, "Every Breath You Take" alone earns Sting around £550,000 a year , or over €600,000. A spokesperson for the singer, however, indicated that this particular song would not be affected by the legal proceedings , without providing further details on the works involved in the dispute. The financial stakes remain considerable nonetheless, given the extensive catalog of The Police, which continues to receive significant airplay on radio, streaming platforms, and in audiovisual soundtracks.

A case with possible repercussions

Beyond The Police case, this procedure is being closely followed by the music industry. A ruling in favor of Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland could set a precedent and encourage other musicians or producers to claim royalties decades after the release of their works.

Separated for over forty years, briefly reunited for a world tour in 2007, the members of The Police now find themselves face to face… in a court of law.