A screenshot of Ticketmaster | Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Michigan is one of 29 states and the District of Columbia that has joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in a lawsuit against Ticketmaster, alleging its practices have hurt consumers and venues by monopolizing the live entertainment industry.
The DOJ filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The antitrust lawsuit was filed against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Live Nation and alleges anticompetitive practices that limit consumer choice and jack up ticket prices.
“Michigan concertgoers deserve the chance to experience the thrill of seeing their favorite artist live, in a venue close to home, without breaking the bank,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat. “Unfortunately, this dream is out of reach for many because of Live Nation’s illegal monopoly. A truly competitive marketplace is essential to providing consumers with choice. That’s why I, along with the Department of Justice and other states, are taking a stand against Live Nation’s practices that limit choice, hamper innovation and unfairly inflate prices.”
Live Nation, is recognized as the largest live music promoter in the world, according to the Attorney General’s Office. It merged with Ticketmaster in 2009. Long-standing complaints about Ticketmaster’s practices hit a peak in 2022 when its botched rollout of Taylor Swift tickets led to a hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the company’s role in the ticketing industry.
The suit alleges that:
The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Live Nation from engaging in its anticompetitive practices and divest from Ticketmaster.
Other attorneys general who have signed onto the suit are from: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
File-stamp-LNE-Complaint
New Hampshire Bulletin reporter Annmarie Timmons contributed to this story.
SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.
The post Amid outrage over high ticket prices, Michigan joins anti-trust suit against Ticketmaster appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here