The United States DOJ sues Live Nation for ‘unlawful monopolistic control’ of events industry

The United States Department of Justice has sued Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, to dismantle its alleged monopoly.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has accused the live events giant of engaging in “unlawful, anticompetitive conduct” to dominate the live events industry in the United States. Garland has stated that these practices have harmed fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators.

Live Nation-Ticketmaster has controlled primary ticketing for 80% of the major concert venues in the US and owned 60% of larger amphitheaters. The company has also managed over 400 artists and promoted 60% of US concerts. In response to the lawsuit, Live Nation has called the DOJ’s claims “absurd” and “disingenuous,” arguing that the lawsuit misleads the public regarding ticket prices.

The United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) has praised the DOJ’s lawsuit, emphasizing the detrimental impact of Live Nation’s practices on artists’ earnings and fans’ ability to afford tickets. The DOJ’s antitrust investigations into Live Nation-Ticketmaster have persisted since 2018, particularly after the 2022 Taylor Swift Eras tour ticketing controversy.

Several legal actions have targeted Live Nation-Ticketmaster, including a $100 million settlement with Songkick in 2018 and a $10 million fine by the DOJ for hacking a competitor. In 2023, Ticketmaster has introduced the “all-in pricing experience” to provide upfront cost transparency.

If you remember previously there was a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York, supported by attorneys general from 29 states and Washington, D.C., accuses Live Nation of monopolistic practices harming artists, fans, and competitors. The suit claims Live Nation controls 60% of concert promotions and, through Ticketmaster, over 80% of ticketing at major venues. Allegations include coercing venues into exclusive agreements and retaliating against competitors. Live Nation denies these claims, arguing that the lawsuit misrepresents the real issues in the industry. This case is part of a broader antitrust effort by the Biden administration, aiming to enhance competition across various sectors.

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Lyndsay Carreno

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