The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster this week, according to multiple sources including ABC News and CNN. The lawsuit follows a two-year investigation into the entertainment giant's business practices.

The investigation centers on allegations that Live Nation has created a monopoly in live event ticketing through exclusive venue contracts. Venues have reported experiencing pressure tactics and potential retaliation, including Live Nation refusing to book artists at venues that don't use Ticketmaster services.

A successful antitrust case could force the separation of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, potentially reshaping the live entertainment industry. The companies currently control over 70% of the ticketing and live events market.

This isn't the first time the companies have faced regulatory scrutiny. In 2019, they paid fines for violating terms of a DOJ consent decree from their 2010 merger. The current investigation intensified following the controversial handling of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour presale in 2022, which left millions of fans unable to purchase tickets.

In response to growing criticism, Live Nation has made some concessions. During a meeting with President Biden in June, the company announced new transparency measures, including "upfront all-in" pricing that discloses fees during ticket shopping.

Live Nation's president Joe Berchtold previously acknowledged industry issues during a January 2023 congressional hearing but attributed problems primarily to ticket scalping. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact the future of live event ticketing and entertainment promotion in the United States.

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