After years of anticipation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and 30 state attorneys general have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, seeking to separate the company from its Ticketmaster subsidiary. The complaint alleges multiple violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and state competition laws.

The 124-page filing accuses Live Nation and Ticketmaster of:

• Monopolizing markets across the live concert industry
• Retaliating against venues that work with competitors
• Restricting artists' access to venues
• Blocking venues from using multiple ticket providers
• Leveraging their joint ownership to eliminate competition

The DOJ claims these practices go beyond the concerns addressed in the original 2010 merger consent decree, which was extended to 2025. The lawsuit specifically highlights Live Nation's relationship with Oak View Group, alleging they established a "competitive détente" to avoid competition in their respective markets.

Key allegations include:

• Live Nation using "carrots and sticks" to force venues into exclusive ticketing contracts
• Venues risking loss of concerts if they partner with Ticketmaster competitors
• The company exploiting its relationship with Oak View Group to expand Ticketmaster's reach

Live Nation's Response:

• Denies being the cause of fan frustration
• Challenges "absurd" monopoly allegations
• Claims the lawsuit stems from populist antitrust enforcement
• Argues their success comes from marketplace achievement, not anti-competitive practices

The lawsuit seeks "the divestiture of, at minimum, Ticketmaster" from Live Nation. Various organizations, including the Coalition for Ticket Fairness, support the action, emphasizing the need for federal legislation to address monopolistic practices in the live event ticket market.

Live Nation's stock dropped approximately 8% following the announcement, though the company maintains its position and has launched a dedicated page to address the DOJ's claims.

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