States red and blue, including Florida, won over a federal jury that has declared Live Nation and Ticketmaster constitute an illegal monopoly.
The ticket companies stood accused of breaking antitrust laws by controlling concert promotion and venue operations and blocking out potential competitors. The jury agreed, ruling certain tickets had been overcharged by approximately $1.72 each.
Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office said the company could be ordered, among other penalties, to pay the $1.72 back.
“Live Nation merged with Ticketmaster and monopolized the ticket industry, forcing venues into restrictive contracts and raising ticket prices — all while mocking Florida consumers,” Uthmeier said in a news release.
“Our victory in court will allow the free market to determine how much you pay for tickets, rather than a mega corporation that used the threat of financial ruin against venues to stifle competition. It’s a big win for Florida consumers!”
The Florida attorney general’s office said Uthmeier “secured a verdict” against the ticket giant. His news release did not acknowledge the dozens of other states in the lawsuit.
About 30 states and the District of Columbia fought alongside U.S. Department of Justice with Live Nation and Ticketmaster listed as defendants.
“The live music industry, like other heavily concentrated industries, is largely controlled by a well-known group of insiders who lead multiple interconnected companies with numerous conflicts of interest,” the states wrote in their complaint.
“These insiders have spent decades amassing, fortifying, and exercising power, particularly against anyone who seeks to disrupt the now-standard industry business practices and conduct. These business practices can, and often do, work against the interests of those with relatively little power and influence, especially working musicians and fans.”
A Live Nation spokesperson in a response to the Phoenix said, “The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter.”
“Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand,” the spokesperson said, “Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions,” the spokesperson said.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Contact Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.
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