Bandmates battle Sting over music income

Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, former members of The Police, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Sting, alleging he has withheld payments. Lawyers for the guitarist and drummer recently presented arguments seeking additional royalties from all download and streaming income, citing their 1997 and 2016 agreements. They contend these agreements should be interpreted in light of the music industry's shift towards streaming revenue over physical sales.

While acknowledging a recent payment of $870,000 from Sting and his publishing company, the plaintiffs noted it did not include interest for alleged historical underpayments. The legal teams are engaged in a two-day preliminary hearing to discuss the case. Neither Summers nor Copeland were present in court on Wednesday.

Conversely, Sting's legal representatives argue that royalties should not be paid for streaming plays, as this falls under 'public performance' rather than a direct sale. They also assert that the 2016 agreement limits royalty eligibility to payments derived from the 'manufacture of records,' suggesting the bandmates' attempts to amend their case lack merit.