Ticketmaster owner Live Nation facing monopoly lawsuit - after criticism from Taylor Swift

Core Viewpoint - The US Justice Department (DOJ) is suing Live Nation and Ticketmaster for allegedly monopolizing the live events industry, controlling over 80% of primary ticketing for major concerts [1][6]. Group 1: Legal Action and Allegations - The DOJ, along with 30 US states and the District of Columbia, has initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, with US Attorney General Merrick Garland stating it is time to break up the company [1]. - Live Nation is accused of using unlawful and anticompetitive practices to maintain its monopolistic control, resulting in higher fees for fans, fewer performance opportunities for artists, and the exclusion of smaller promoters [6]. - The lawsuit highlights that Live Nation manages over 400 musical artists and controls approximately 60% of concert promotions at major venues [6]. Group 2: Industry Context and Reactions - The legal action reflects the Biden administration's aggressive antitrust enforcement strategy aimed at increasing competition across various industries, including technology and healthcare [5]. - Live Nation's dominance faced scrutiny in 2022 when Ticketmaster canceled the general sale of tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour due to high demand, leading to public criticism from the artist [3]. - Live Nation claims the lawsuit is based on "baseless allegations" and argues that it will prevail in court by emphasizing the economic realities of the live entertainment industry [2][9]. Group 3: Historical Background - The controversial merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster was approved by the DOJ in 2010, with conditions meant to prevent anti-competitive behavior [7]. - In 2020, a court extended the DOJ's oversight of the merger until 2025 due to allegations that Ticketmaster retaliated against venues that chose other ticketing companies [8].