The Department of Justice (DOJ) and 30 state attorneys general have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, seeking to separate the company from its Ticketmaster subsidiary. The 124-page complaint alleges multiple violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and state competition laws.

Key Allegations:

• Live Nation and Ticketmaster abuse their joint ownership to eliminate competition
• The companies retaliate against venues that work with rivals
• They restrict artists' venue access and block venues from using multiple ticket providers
• The merger has led to reduced innovation and higher prices for consumers

The lawsuit specifically targets Live Nation's relationship with Oak View Group, claiming the companies established a "competitive détente" where Oak View Group avoided concert promotions while Live Nation stepped back from arena consulting.

Live Nation's Defense:

• Rejects monopoly allegations as "absurd"
• Claims the lawsuit ignores actual causes of high ticket prices
• Argues their success comes from marketplace performance, not anti-competitive practices
• States that breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster would not be legally permissible

The company's stock dropped approximately 8% following the announcement. Live Nation has launched a "Breaking Down the DOJ Lawsuit" page to address the allegations, comparing their profit margins to tech giants and challenging the administration's antitrust enforcement approach.

Industry Response:

The Coalition for Ticket Fairness supports the DOJ's action, emphasizing the need for federal legislation to address market concentration. They note Live Nation's recent push for state-level legislation, warning that these efforts may not benefit consumers despite claims of being "fan friendly."

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