EU criticizes Ticketmaster’s owner for engaging in monopolistic behavior

The business that runs the ticketing website Ticketmaster, Live Nation, was criticized by the US on Thursday for engaging in monopolistic behavior that drove up ticket costs for customers.

This was announced by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland at a press conference in which he stated that the company’s “exorbitant fees and technological failures” “have been criticized by fans and artists alike” and are also “anti-competitive and illegal”.

Garland said the company “blocks competition and ticket sales through the use of exclusive sales contracts” that can last more than a decade and by acquiring its own venues. “Live Nation has illegally monopolized the live concert industry markets in the United States for far too long and it’s time to break it up.”

Additionally, the buyer is subject to a «endless» array of costs from Ticketmaster, including handling, payment processing, master order price, Platinum, service, and ticketing fees.

Garland supplied statistics indicating that the corporation owns or controls over 60% of the largest amphitheaters in the United States, directly manages over 400 performers, controls over 60% of event promotions nationwide, and at least 80% of ticket sales at key music venues.

The lawsuit was filed in New York by the Department of Justice and 30 state and district attorneys general.