The invention relates to a copolymer having: A) at least one monomer unit a) derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, a corresponding anhydride, or a corresponding water-soluble salt; B) at least one monomer unit b) derived from a particular sulfonated or sulfated ethylenically unsaturated ether or at least one monomer unit (b′) derived from a sulfonated ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than (b), C) at least one monomer unit (c) derived from a monomer with the average general formula [CH2═CH—CH2—R6—O—]xP(═O)(OM)3-x. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such a copolymer, an inhibitor composition including such a copolymer, and a method for inhibiting inorganic deposits in a petroleum reservoir by means of said inhibitor composition.