Justice Department lawsuit over Live Nation-Ticketmaster breakup won’t lead to lower entertainment prices

The Department of Justice today filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging anti-competitive conduct. The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks to use antitrust laws to break up Live Nation.

Director of the CEI Technology and Innovation Center Jessica Melugin he said:

“It is likely that what consumers are concerned about – high ticket prices and availability – is due to the inherent rarity of seeing a popular performer live. If the government fails to clone Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, it’s hard to imagine major changes for concert-goers. Adjusting the way tickets are allocated by breaking vertical integration in this chain may not result in lower prices because ultimately no more can be made from any artist.”