Live Nation has filed a preview of its dismissal arguments in response to the Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit, highlighting three main points of contention against the allegations.

The entertainment giant disputes the core tying claims, which allege that Live Nation forces artists to use its promotion services to access its amphitheaters. The company argues this misrepresents industry relationships and actually describes a refusal to deal with competitors rather than illegal tying.

Live Nation specifically challenges the claims from 30 states (including Washington, D.C.) as "threadbare and conclusory," noting they fail to:

• Provide specific elements of state-law violations
• Detail the nature of alleged harm
• Identify who suffered damages
• Specify where violations occurred

The company also argues that many state claims are time-barred, with the longest statute of limitations being six years. Given that the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger completed in 2010 with Obama administration approval, this timing could be significant.

The case is expected to go to trial no earlier than 2026, extending beyond the upcoming presidential election. This timeline could prove crucial as Live Nation continues to navigate multiple legal challenges.

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