Live Nation has previewed its dismissal arguments in response to the Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit, focusing on three key points to challenge the allegations of illegal business practices.

The entertainment giant's primary defense targets the DOJ's tying claims, which allege that Live Nation forces artists to use its promotion services to access its amphitheaters. Live Nation argues this mischaracterizes standard business practices and should instead be viewed as a refusal to deal with competitors, which courts have historically accepted as legal.

The company also challenges the claims made by 30 states (including Washington, D.C.) as "threadbare and conclusory," noting that these plaintiffs:

• Failed to provide specific elements of state-law claims
• Did not detail the nature of alleged harm
• Haven't specified who suffered damages and where

Live Nation further argues that many state claims are time-barred, with the longest statute of limitations being six years. This timing is significant given that the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger was completed in 2010 with Obama administration approval.

The case is expected to go to trial in 2026, extending beyond the upcoming presidential election. This timeline could prove crucial as Live Nation faces multiple legal challenges while defending its business practices.

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