Concert industry 'broken' because of Ticketmaster, antitrust trial hears
· Toronto Sun
A U.S. Justice Department lawyer told jurors at a civil antitrust trial Tuesday that the concert industry is broken because Ticketmaster and its parent Live Nation Entertainment have a monopoly on the market and are driving up prices for consumers.
The companies, however, say the government is wrong, The Associated Press reported.
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The Justice Department’s antitrust lawyer David Dahlquist said in his opening statement that Washington and 39 states are counting on the Manhattan federal jury to end the monopoly and reward artists and consumers with a competitive marketplace that will leave them with more money.
“This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition,” he said. “Today, the concert ticket industry is broken.”
Compensation for fans?
David Marriott, arguing on behalf of the companies, disputed the government’s claims.
“We’ll let the numbers do the talking,” he said. “We do not have monopoly power.”
The jury trial, which is taking place in Manhattan, is part of a bipartisan push to tackle affordability through antitrust crackdowns, Reuters reported. The case is being brought against Ticketmaster and Live Nation by the Department of Justice and a coalition of U.S. states, led by New York, which are seeking compensation for fans.
Singer Kid Rock and Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons are expected to testify, along with executives from rival companies and venues such as Madison Square Garden.
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The allegations
The Department of Justice accuses Live Nation of forcing artists to use its concert promotion services to play at outdoor amphitheatres it owns and that Ticketmaster dominated ticketing services through threats and multi-year contracts with major concert venues.
A U.S. district judge cut several claims from the case, but refused Live Nations’ request to pause the trial so the company could appeal.
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