![Merrick Garland]()
In the words of noted philosopher Lizzo: IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME.
I'll admit, this may be the first time that I've ever cheered on the government. But Live Nation and Ticketmaster have come under a lot of fire recently for their business practices that have monopolized the entertainment industry and made the experience worse for not only fans, but for artists too.
Back in 2009, ticketing giant Ticketmaster entered into an agreement to merge with promoter Live Nation, and since then the newly-formed Live Nation Entertainment has slowly gained control over every aspect of the live music industry, from event promotion to venues to ticket sales. (You can read more about that
here).
And all the while, it's been artists and customers who have suffered.
Everybody who's gone to a concert can probably tell you what a terrible experience it is buying tickets these days. Not only are tickets harder than ever to actually get thanks to scalpers (which are in many cases even sanctioned by the ticketing platforms in order to artificially inflate prices), but the fees that they tack on often end up costing more than the tickets themselves - and that's not even taking into account their impossible-to-navigate presale procedures or "verified fan" system that was supposed to ensure tickets got into the hands of actual fans.
And of course the result of all this has been that tickets are more expensive than ever.
But it's not just fans who have suffered: A bombshell report made public back in March alleges that the company was screwing over artists too, but negotiating increased rates with vendors and then offering "rebates" to venues, which made it appear that events were less profitable than they really were so that artists weren't owed as much at the end of a show.
It's all one big scam, and it perfectly highlights the dangers of one company having a monopoly over an entire industry.
But finally, the government is doing something about it.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced today that the Department of Justice, joined by 29 states, has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster under the Sherman Antitrust Act, alleging that the conglomerate is operating as an illegal monopoly.
In a press conference and in their complaint, Garland claimed that Live Nation & Ticketmaster have "illegally monopolized markets across the live concert industry," causing the experience to suffer for everybody involved.
"It is time to break it up."
Garland outlined how Live Nation & Ticketmaster have taken over every aspect of the entertainment industry, and the impact that has on everybody involved:
"It controls at least 80% of primary ticketing at major concert venues, it directly manages more than 400 artists, and controls more than 60% of concert promotions across the country. And it owns or controls more than 60% of large amphitheaters in the United States.
We allege that to sustain this dominance, Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct...
The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services."
According to Garland, Live Nation relies on long-term contracts to lock out competition, and acquires venues themselves in order to increase their monopoly on the market. And the complaint alleges that the company will sacrifice profits by allowing venues to sit unused rather than booking artists who use other ticketing platforms.
"We allege that Live Nation does not maintain its dominance in the entertainment industry by staying ahead of its competition on the merits. We allege that Live Nation controls the live entertainment industry in the United States because it is breaking the law...
We are here because that conduct, as we allege, is anti-competitive and illegal."
And Garland said the mission of the lawsuit is simple:
"It is time for fans and artists to stop paying the price for Live Nation's monopoly.
It is time to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster."
Of course while the Justice Department is seeking to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, it's safe to say that any resolution or action won't take place any time soon - and that Live Nation will throw everything they have at trying to maintain their control over the industry.
But it's good to see somebody finally hold this stain on the live music industry accountable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEnBpnaTCk
