Live Nation Monopoly Ruled Illegal, Poised to Reshape Concert Industry

(CNA, New York, 15th, Composite Foreign Dispatch) The California Attorney General announced that a U.S. jury ruled today that entertainment giant Live Nation abused its monopoly power in its Ticketmaster business, violating federal and state antitrust laws.

This ruling could have a profound impact on the concert industry. The jury reached this verdict after four days of deliberation, and potential subsequent remedies include the breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta pointed out that the jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster engaged in anti-competitive behavior that harmed the music industry, including overcharging consumers for tickets.

"This is a historic and massive victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them," Bonta stated in a release.

Bonta said the jury concluded that Live Nation overcharged consumers for tickets between May 2020 and 2024.

In response to inquiries from AFP, Live Nation stated: "The jury's verdict is not the final outcome of this case. Subsequent motions will determine whether liability and damages awards are upheld."

The case was originally filed in May 2024 during the administration of former President Joe Biden, when the Justice Department accused Live Nation of being a monopoly that controlled nearly the entire live entertainment market in the United States.

The California-based company is massively scaled in the industry, having hosted more than 55,000 events globally last year, drawing an audience of 159 million. (Compiled by Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150416