DoJ Fights Live Nation's Venue Change Request in Major Antitrust Lawsuit
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has opposed Live Nation's request to transfer their antitrust case from New York to Washington D.C., emphasizing that the existing consent decree is not relevant to the current proceedings.
NYC skyline with Empire State Building
The DoJ's opposition highlights that the case doesn't seek to "enforce, construe, or undo" the 2010 consent decree (amended in 2020). Instead, it focuses on new allegations of anticompetitive behavior across multiple sectors of the live music industry.
Key allegations from the United States, 29 states, and D.C. include:
- Maintaining illegal monopolies in primary ticketing, concert promotion, and large amphitheaters
- Using long-term exclusive contracts to restrict competition
- Tying artists' venue access to Live Nation promotion services
- Acquiring rival companies across multiple sectors
- Leveraging secondary ticketing markets
- Forcing access to competitors' data
The DoJ argues that New York is the appropriate venue due to its significance in the live music industry, citing:
- Presence of two major Ticketmaster competitors
- Location of twenty-plus relevant entities
- Multiple amphitheaters and arenas
- Numerous material witnesses
- Live Nation's largest office outside California
The case represents a comprehensive challenge to Live Nation/Ticketmaster's market dominance, addressing alleged anticompetitive practices that extend beyond the scope of the existing consent decree.
US Department of Justice building exterior
Michael Rapino in black shirt