US state AG seeks triple damages against Live Nation for concertgoers

(Reuters) — Attorneys general in about two dozen U.S. states are seeking triple damages against Live Nation Entertainment and its ticketing unit, Ticketmaster, for monopolizing markets in the live concert industry in an updated version of an originally filed lawsuit in May.

The US Department of Justice and several states sued three months ago to break up Live Nation, arguing that the concert promoter and Ticketmaster illegally inflated concert ticket prices and hurt artists.

Some states sought damages under state law in the original suit. By adding claims under federal antitrust law, states can seek three times as much monetary damages.

On Monday, 10 states joined the lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, and 26 states and the District of Columbia added claims for treble damages on behalf of their residents.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that her office is seeking compensation for what state residents were overcharged by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

“It’s time for a new era where fans, venues and artists aren’t taken advantage of by the big corporations that rule the world of live events,” she said.

Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont have joined the suit, bringing the total to 39 states and the District of Columbia.

The lawsuit says Live Nation directly manages more than 400 music artists and controls about 60 percent of concert promotions at major venues. According to the complaint, Live Nation owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America, and through Ticketmaster controls approximately 80% or more of the major venue concert tickets.

Live Nation said it would fight the charges in court. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The DOJ said in court filings that the “vast reach” of Live Nation and Ticketmaster allowed them to “insert themselves into the center and edges of virtually every aspect of the live music ecosystem.”

In 2010, the Justice Department approved Ticketmaster’s controversial merger with Live Nation, with conditions intended to prevent the combined company from harming competition.

In 2020, a court extended most of the DOJ’s oversight of the merger through 2025 as, the department said, Ticketmaster retaliated against stadiums and arenas that opted to use other ticketing companies.

The Justice Department said that since its latest case, Live Nation has engaged in more anti-competitive activity.