Ex-De Koek Band Members Seek Their Share of Sting’s Success Over The Police Hits

Former Police Bandmates Launch Legal Challenge Against Sting Over Royalties

London, England – A dispute over financial compensation has erupted between Sting and former members of his iconic band, the Police. Reports indicate that the former bandmates have initiated legal proceedings, claiming they are owed a notable portion of royalties generated from the group’s extensive catalog of hits.

The Core of the Dispute

The legal action centers around allegations that Sting hasn’t adequately distributed royalties earned from The Police‘s music, including timeless tracks like “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take.” Former members contend that their contributions to the band’s success where integral and deserving of fairer financial returns. Sources close to the case suggest the amount in contention could reach millions of dollars.

This isn’t the first time disputes have arisen within successful musical groups. In 2023, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour reportedly donated millions in royalties to Ukraine, sparking discussions about artist responsibility and revenue distribution. billboard covered the event thoroughly.

Legal Proceedings and Claims

Details of the lawsuit remain largely confidential, but British media outlets have reported that the former band members feel compelled to pursue legal action due to a longstanding imbalance in royalty payments. They assert they had no choice but to seek resolution thru the courts. The exact nature of the claims, including the specific accounting practices being challenged, is still unfolding.

Party	Position	Key Claim
Former Police Members	Plaintiffs	underpaid royalties from band’s music catalog.
Sting	Defendant	No official response yet as of august 26, 2025.

Did You Know? Disputes over music royalties are surprisingly common, particularly in bands with complex songwriting credits and publishing agreements.

Implications for the Music Industry

This case underscores the frequently enough-complex financial arrangements within the music industry. It highlights potential issues surrounding legacy acts and the distribution of revenue generated from established catalogs.The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for similar disputes involving other bands and artists. According to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), streaming revenue accounted for 84% of total recorded music revenues in the U.S. in 2023,making the accurate accounting of royalties more crucial than ever.

Pro Tip: Artists should always prioritize clear and comprehensive contracts with detailed royalty clauses to avoid future disputes.

Understanding Music Royalties

Music royalties are payments made to rights holders-typically songwriters, composers, and publishers-for the use of their copyrighted work. These payments are generated through various channels, including sales of physical albums, digital downloads, streams, radio airplay, and public performances. The specific rates and allocation of royalties depend on the terms of contracts between artists, record labels, and publishers.

what are your thoughts on this dispute? Do you believe artists from legacy bands should have a different royalty arrangement than current musicians? Share your opinions in the comments below!

Ex-De Koek Band Members seek Their Share of Sting’s Success Over Teh Police Hits

The Roots of the Dispute: De Koek & Early Sting Collaboration

Before the global fame of The Police and Sting, Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner – known to the world as Sting – honed his musical skills in a local jazz band called De Koek (Dutch for “The Cake”). Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1970s, De Koek served as a crucial stepping stone in Sting’s advancement as a songwriter and performer. The band, featuring Sting on bass and vocals alongside Andrew Templeman and mike Hatchett, played a mix of jazz, rock, and blues, building a regional following. This period is now at the center of a legal battle as former bandmates seek recognition – and financial compensation – for their contribution to the foundation of Sting’s later success,specifically relating to the copyright and royalties generated by The Police’s iconic hits. the core of the argument revolves around intellectual property rights and the extent to which early compositions within De Koek influenced the songwriting style that propelled The Police to international stardom.

The Legal Challenge: claiming a Piece of The Police Fortune

In recent years, Andrew Templeman, the former drummer of De Koek, initiated legal proceedings claiming a share of the publishing royalties earned from The Police’s catalogue. The claim isn’t about direct plagiarism of De Koek songs, but rather about the argument that the band provided a creative surroundings where Sting developed the musical ideas and songwriting techniques that later defined his work with The Police. Key arguments include:

Joint Authorship: Templeman contends that the collaborative nature of De Koek’s songwriting process contributed considerably to Sting’s artistic growth, making him a partial author of the musical concepts that later appeared in songs like “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle,” and “Every Breath You Take.”

Unfair Enrichment: The lawsuit alleges that Sting has unfairly benefited from the success of The Police, built upon the foundation laid during his time with De Koek, without adequately compensating his former bandmates.

Pre-Existing Material Influence: While not claiming direct copyright infringement,the legal team argues that elements of De Koek’s original compositions demonstrably influenced Sting’s songwriting style and melodic choices in The Police’s hits. This is a complex area of music law and copyright litigation.

key Songs Under scrutiny: Identifying Potential Influences

While the legal case doesn’t focus on specific song-for-song similarities, certain stylistic and melodic elements have been highlighted as potential areas of influence.These include:

1. Early Jazz Influences: de Koek’s jazz-infused arrangements, particularly their use of complex chord progressions and rhythmic patterns, are cited as a precursor to the sophisticated musicality of The Police.
2. Bass Line Development: Sting’s distinctive bass playing style, a hallmark of The Police’s sound, was reportedly developed and refined during his time with De Koek.
3. Vocal Style Evolution: The lawsuit points to the development of Sting’s vocal delivery and phrasing within De Koek as a foundation for his later vocal performances.
4. Original Compositions: Though largely unreleased commercially, De koek’s original songs are being analyzed for melodic and harmonic similarities to The Police’s early work. This involves musicological analysis and expert testimony.

The Legal Precedents: Similar Cases in Music History

This isn’t the first time former bandmates have sought a share of a successful artist’s fortune.Several high-profile cases offer relevant precedents:

The Beach Boys & Brian Wilson: Disputes over songwriting credits and royalties have plagued The Beach Boys for decades, highlighting the complexities of collaborative songwriting and intellectual property ownership.

The Verve & Bittersweet Symphony: The infamous case involving The Verve’s “Bittersweet symphony” and the use of an orchestral sample demonstrated the strictness of copyright law regarding sampling and derivative works.

spirit vs. Led zeppelin: The long-running legal battle over the similarities between Led Zeppelin’s “stairway to Heaven” and spirit’s “Taurus” underscored the challenges of proving musical influence and copyright infringement.

Ray Davies and The Kinks: Davies has often spoken about the struggles of fairly compensating early band members as the band’s success grew.

These cases demonstrate the difficulties in establishing a clear link between early collaborations and later success, particularly when dealing with stylistic influences rather than direct copying.Music publishing rights and songwriting royalties are often at the heart of these disputes.

Potential outcomes & Implications for Musicians

The outcome of the De Koek case could have significant implications for musicians and the music industry. Possible scenarios include:

Settlement: A negotiated settlement between Sting and Templeman, perhaps involving a one-time payment or a share of future royalties. This is the most likely outcome.

Court Ruling: A court decision in favor of Templeman,potentially establishing a precedent for recognizing the contributions of early collaborators to an artist’s later success.

Dismissal: A dismissal of the case, reinforcing the existing legal framework and limiting the ability of former bandmates to claim a share of an artist’s fortune based on stylistic influence.

Nonetheless of the outcome, the case highlights the importance of clear songwriting agreements and partnership contracts for musicians. It also raises questions about the ethical obligations of successful artists to acknowledge and compensate those who contributed to their early development. Music industry contracts are frequently enough complex and require legal expertise.

Benefits of Proactive Legal Protection for Musicians

Clear Ownership: Establishing clear ownership of intellectual property rights from the outset avoids future disputes.

Fair Compensation: Properly drafted contracts ensure that all collaborators are fairly compensated for their contributions.

Protection of Creative Work: Copyright registration and legal protection safeguard musicians’ creative work from unauthorized use.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that legal matters are handled properly allows musicians to focus on their art.

* Preventative Measures: Consulting with an entertainment lawyer early in a musical career can prevent costly legal battles down the road.

Practical tips for Musicians: Protecting Your Work

1. Written Agreements: Always have a written agreement outlining the ownership of intellectual property, royalty splits, and other key terms.
2. Copyright Registration: register your songs with the appropriate copyright office to establish legal ownership.
3. Detailed Records: Keep detailed records of songwriting sessions, contributions, and agreements.
4. Legal Counsel: Consult with an experienced entertainment lawyer to review contracts and provide legal advice.
5. Clarity & Dialog: Maintain open and honest communication with all collaborators regarding financial matters and creative contributions.