DOJ sues Live Nation over high prices, seeks to break up Ticketmaster merger

Core Viewpoint - The Justice Department, along with 30 states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit to break up Live Nation, alleging that the company and its Ticketmaster unit have illegally inflated concert ticket prices and harmed artists [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Action and Allegations - The lawsuit emphasizes the monopolistic control of Live Nation over the live events industry, claiming that it engages in unlawful, anticompetitive conduct that negatively impacts fans, artists, and smaller promoters [4][8]. - Live Nation manages over 400 musical artists and controls approximately 60% of concert promotions at major venues, while Ticketmaster controls around 80% of primary ticketing for large venues [7][9]. - The DOJ argues that the extensive reach of Live Nation and Ticketmaster allows them to dominate nearly every aspect of the live music ecosystem [8]. Group 2: Historical Context and Reactions - Concerns regarding Live Nation's acquisition of Ticketmaster in 2010 have persisted, particularly after Ticketmaster's mishandling of ticket sales for Taylor Swift's concert tour in 2022 [2][6]. - The merger was initially approved with conditions to prevent anti-competitive behavior, and oversight was extended to 2025 due to alleged retaliatory actions against venues using other ticketing companies [10]. - Live Nation has characterized the lawsuit as a potential short-term public relations victory for the DOJ but maintains confidence in its legal standing [5][12].