The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster this week, potentially leading to a forced breakup of the entertainment giant, according to multiple sources including ABC News and CNN.

The DOJ's two-year investigation centers on allegations that Live Nation has created a monopoly in live event ticketing through exclusive venue contracts and potentially anticompetitive practices. Venues have reported experiencing pressure tactics and reduced access to artists when choosing not to use Ticketmaster's services.

The company's dominance in the industry became a major public concern following the 2022 Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticketing debacle, where system crashes left millions of fans unable to purchase tickets. Live Nation controls approximately 70% of the ticketing and live events market.

Previous regulatory actions include:

• 2019: Fines for violating DOJ consent decree terms from the original merger
• 2023: Congressional hearing where Live Nation executives were questioned about market dominance
• June 2023: Meeting with President Biden resulting in "all-in" pricing transparency measures

If successful, the antitrust lawsuit could force the separation of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, potentially restructuring the entire live entertainment ticketing industry.

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