DoJ Fights Live Nation's Venue Change Request in Major Antitrust Lawsuit

DoJ Fights Live Nation's Venue Change Request in Major Antitrust Lawsuit

By Marcus Delano Thompson

December 14, 2024 at 08:28 PM

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

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

US Department of Justice building exterior

Michael Rapino in black shirt

Michael Rapino in black shirt

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