More states join antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, Ticketmaster

(Gray News) - Almost a dozen additional states have joined the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

The U.S. Department of Justice has refiled its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, with 10 additional states joining the effort to break up the company.

Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont were added to the amended complaint filed in New York on Monday.

Billboard reports the total number of states participating in the lawsuit is now 40 total, along with the District of Columbia.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in the U.S.

“It’s time for fans and artists to stop paying the price for Live Nation’s monopoly,” The Associated Press quoted Attorney General Merrick Garland. “It is time to restore competition and innovation in the entertainment industry. It is time to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster.”

The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation’s conduct has harmed fans because they have been left with fewer concerts, and more limited choices among touring artists, paying higher ticketing fees while experiencing a lower-quality experience.

Per Billboard, Live Nation responded to the amended complaint this week with the following statement:

“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. We look forward to sharing more facts as the case progresses.”

In June, Live Nation reported that it was also investigating a data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary.

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