Here’s a summary of the article, focusing on the key points:
sting is being sued by former Police bandmates Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers over unpaid royalties from streaming revenue.
* the Dispute: The core of the case centers around the interpretation of agreements made between the band members regarding “arranger’s fees” – 15% of publishing income. Sting argues these fees should only apply to physical sales (vinyl, cassettes), while Copeland and Summers believe they should apply to all income, including streaming.
* Significant Sums: Copeland and Summers claim they are owed over $2 million (£1.5m) in unpaid arranger’s fees. Sting has already paid over £595,000 in admitted historic underpayments.
* Streaming’s Impact: The case highlights the challenges of applying older royalty agreements to the modern streaming era, where hits like “Every Breath You Take” (streamed over 3 billion times on Spotify) generate massive revenue.
* recent Sales: Sting recently sold his entire songwriting catalog for an estimated £221m, adding another layer to the financial context.
* Similar Case: A similar case involving the estates of Jimi Hendrix Experience members is also nearing a verdict, suggesting this is a growing issue in the music industry.
* Background: The article notes the band’s initial success and the feeling that their music was “magic” in their early days,contrasting that with the current legal battle.
The trial is expected to happen at a later date, with a verdict in the Hendrix case expected on February 16th. This case could have significant implications for how streaming royalties are distributed to musicians in the future.
