In brief
In a significant antitrust case involving Live Nation Entertainment and its ticketing service Ticketmaster, jury deliberations commenced in Manhattan federal court. The lawsuit, brought by 34 states, claims the company has a monopolistic hold on the concert industry, leading to inflated prices for consumers. Live Nation argues that the current concert market is more competitive than ever. This trial follows a settlement reached by the Justice Department which secured concessions from Live Nation regarding ticket sales at numerous venues. Closing arguments highlighted that Live Nation controls a substantial share of both the concert and sports event markets.
NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations began Friday in an antitrust case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment.The states argue in the civil case that the company and its ticketing arm, Ticketmaster, are monopolizing the industry and driving up prices to see live music.Live Nation contends there is more competition than ever and the company plays fair amid a U.S. booming concert business.Soon after starting deliberations, the jury in Manhattan federal court told the judge it wanted to review certain testimony given at the five-week trial.The states carried on with their case after the federal government settled last month.The Justice Department said it had won important concessions from Live Nation, particularly regarding the sale of tickets at dozens of the company’s amphitheaters.A lawyer for the states argued in closing statements that Live Nation controls 86% of the market for concerts and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included.Live Nation’s lawyer acknowledged that the company is the largest entertainment company and ticketer in the U.S., but asserted that success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States.\
