For nearly three decades, the only significant challenge to Ticketmaster’s dominance in the live events industry came from the rock band Pearl Jam.
In 1994, the band filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, accusing Ticketmaster of monopolistic practices, including using its industry position to block promoters from booking the band and maintaining a monopoly over ticket distribution through relationships with various venues.
Pearl Jam failed in its fight, and since then, the inaction of elected officials in standing up to the ticket-selling giant has been a running joke among concertgoers. However, nearly 30 years later, a group of attorneys general led by New York’s Letitia James might finally be doing something to stand up for consumers.
James, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint on Monday against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster. This complaint seeks additional relief for consumers affected by the companies’ alleged anti-competitive practices.
“Live Nation and Ticketmaster have abused the market to overcharge consumers and harm venues and artists, and my office will ensure this illegal conduct is stopped,” said James. “Through this version of the amended lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, my office is seeking to recover damages for New York consumers who were overcharged by Live Nation and Ticketmaster. It’s time for a new era where fans, venues, and artists are not taken advantage of by big corporations that run the world of live events.”
The lawsuit centers around antitrust laws, which are designed to promote competition and prevent monopolies or unfair business practices that harm consumers and competitors. The complaint alleges that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have violated these laws by using their dominant market position to stifle competition and maintain control over key aspects of the live events industry.
According to the complaint, Live Nation and Ticketmaster control nearly every part of the live event experience, from promoting events to owning or operating venues and selling tickets. This control has allegedly allowed them to exclude competitors, overcharge consumers, and limit options for both artists and venues. For example, the lawsuit claims that Live Nation uses its influence over venues to force them to use Ticketmaster for ticket sales, thereby eliminating competition from other ticketing services.
The coalition of attorneys general from 40 states, including California, Florida and Texas, as well as the District of Columbia, has joined forces with DOJ in this legal action. The case is being handled by the New York Attorney General’s Antitrust Bureau, which is part of the Division of Economic Justice.
This lawsuit represents a coordinated effort by state and federal officials to address the alleged harm caused by Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s market practices on consumers, venues, and artists.
“There is nothing new in the Amended Complaint — the lawsuit still won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees and access to in-demand shows,” Live Nation said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing more facts as the case progresses.”
