Live Nation and Ticketmaster sued by US regulators over alleged monopoly
The US is seeking a break up of Live Nation-Ticketmaster due to an alleged suppression of competition.
Ticketmaster’s owners Live Nation are being sued by the US federal government's Department of Justice (DOJ), alongside 29 states and the District of Columbia, over its alleged monopoly on ticket sales.
The DOJ is seeking a break up of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster operation over claims that the event promotion and ticket selling giant actively suppresses competition through its monopoly.
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According to the DOJ, Live Nation controls at least 80% of primary ticketing at major concert venues in the US, as well as owning or controlling more than 250 venues.
US attorney general Merrick B. Garland has said in a statement today: "Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States – and over the fans, artists, independent promoters, and venues that power the industry.
"The result is that fans pay more in fees. Artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts. Smaller promoters get squeezed out. And venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services."
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks on Lawsuit Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster for Monopolizing Markets Across the Live Concert Industry
