Live Nation Sued by Justice Department and States for Antitrust Violations
Federal and state investigators allege the entertainment giant has a monopoly on the live music industry.
The Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against Live Nation Entertainment, alleging that the company has a monopoly on the live music industry and has been using its power to stifle competition and raise prices.
The lawsuit, which was joined by 30 states and the District of Columbia, alleges that Live Nation directly manages more than 400 musical artists and controls 60 percent of concert promotions in the United States. The government contends that this gives Live Nation an unfair advantage over its competitors and allows it to charge higher prices for tickets.
The Justice Department is seeking a court order to break up Live Nation, arguing that this is the only way to restore competition to the live music industry. The company has denied the allegations and said it will vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
The lawsuit is the culmination of a years-long investigation by the Justice Department into Live Nation's business practices. The investigation began in 2019, after the company's merger with Ticketmaster, the world's largest ticket seller.
If the government is successful in its lawsuit, it would be a major victory for antitrust enforcers. It would also be a significant blow to Live Nation, which has been one of the most dominant companies in the live music industry for decades.
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