Department Of Justice (DOJ) – Lawsuit Filed Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster For Monopolizing The Live Concert Industry

Published: 2024-06-26 10:13:10 ET LYV

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Ticketmaster LLC (Live Nation-Ticketmaster) for monopolizing the live entertainment sector and engaging in other illegal behaviors that hinder competition in the market. The lawsuit, which also includes a demand for structural relief, aims to restore competition in the live concert industry, provide fans with better options at lower prices, and open venue doors to working musicians and other performing artists.

The complaint filed in federal court alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by unlawfully exercising its monopoly power. Additionally, Live Nation-Ticketmaster is accused of leveraging its power over artists, venues, and independent promoters in ways that harm competition and impede the entry and expansion of competitors in the market.

According to the complaint, Live Nation-Ticketmaster has maintained its monopoly in various concert promotions and primary ticketing markets unlawfully and engaged in other exclusionary practices affecting live concert venues such as arenas and amphitheaters. The complaint also alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster's exclusionary practices reinforce and protect what the company refers to as its "wheel" - a self-reinforcing cycle wherein Live Nation-Ticketmaster profits from concertgoers and sponsorships, uses this revenue to tie artists into exclusive promotion deals, and then leverages its strong portfolio of live content to secure long-term exclusive ticketing agreements with venues.

The DOJ argues that Live Nation-Ticketmaster's anticompetitive behaviors further hinder competitors from competing on merit. The DOJ alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster has employed various tactics to eliminate competition and monopolize markets.

According to the complaint, Live Nation-Ticketmaster has unlawfully maintained its monopoly in various concert promotions and primary ticketing markets and engaged in other exclusionary practices affecting live concert venues such as arenas and amphitheaters.

(DOJ - 23.05.2024)

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