More states join antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster parent Live Nation, seek triple the damages
nypost.comsued three months ago to break up Live Nation, arguing the concert promoter and Ticketmaster illegally inflated concert ticket prices and hurt artists like Taylor Swift.Some states had sought damages under state law in the original lawsuit.
By adding claims under the federal anti-monopoly law, states can seek three times the monetary damages.On Monday, 10 states joined the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, and 26 states and the District of Columbia added claims for treble damages on behalf of their residents.New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that her office is seeking damages for what state residents were overcharged by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.“It’s time for a new era where fans, venues, and artists are not taken advantage of by big corporations that run the world of live events,” she said.Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont joined the lawsuit, boosting the total to 39 states and the District of Columbia.The lawsuit says Live Nation directly manages more than 400 musical artists and controls around 60% of concert promotions at major venues.
According to the complaint, Live Nation owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America, and through Ticketmaster controls roughly 80% or more of big venues’ primary ticketing for concerts.Live Nation has said it will fight the allegations in court.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.The DOJ said in court papers that the “vast scope” of Live Nation and Ticketmaster allowed them to “insert themselves at the center and the edges of virtually every aspect of the live music ecosystem.”In 2010, the Justice Department approved.
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