‘Big deal for Oregonians’: AG Rosenblum joins federal antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum joined the U.S. Department of Justice and AGs from 29 states and the District of Columbia in filing an antitrust lawsuit Thursday against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., the owner of Ticketmaster, accusing the company of illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Live Nation maintains an anticompetitive monopoly in ticketing markets by closing properties under restrictive, long-term, exclusive contracts and threatening that venues will lose access to Live Nation-controlled tours and artists if they sign contract with a competing ticket seller.

“This is a big deal for the people of Oregon,” AG Rosenblum said. “Live Nation’s anti-competitive conduct harms both fans and artists. We are joining this lawsuit because Live Nation suppresses innovation, limits consumer choices, inflates prices and charges excessive fees – and we want these practices to end.”

Live Nation uses its extensive network of amphitheaters to force artists to choose Live Nation as a promoter over its competitors, thereby maintaining a monopoly on promotions. The lawsuit asks the court to restore competition in the live entertainment industry by:

• Prohibiting Live Nation from engaging in anti-competitive practices.
• Ordering Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster.

A copy of the complaint is available Here.

USDOJ and Oregon are joined by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rh