Justice Department to file antitrust suit against Live Nation (wsj.com)

Article summary

The US Department of Justice is planning to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, reportedly due to its dominant position in the ticketing market. The company's merger with Ticketmaster has been cited as a factor in its market power. Commenters discuss their experiences with high ticket prices and fees, with some expressing support for the lawsuit. The lawsuit's potential impact on the ticketing industry is a topic of discussion.

Main themes

• Antitrust lawsuit
• Ticketing market dominance
• High ticket prices
• Monopoly power
• Consumer protection
• Market regulation

What commenters say

• The DOJ's lawsuit against Live Nation is long overdue and necessary to address the company's anti-consumer behavior.
• Consumers who pay high ticket prices are enabling the problem and contributing to the cycle of price gouging.
• The merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster has created a monopoly that harms consumers and stifles competition.
• Breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster could lead to increased competition and lower ticket prices, but it may not be a simple solution.
• The fees charged by ticketing companies are excessive and should be more transparent, with some arguing that they constitute a form of tax.
• The lawsuit may not necessarily lead to lower ticket prices, but could instead change the way revenue is split between venues, artists, and ticketing services.
• Some argue that consumers have a duty not to reinforce anti-consumer behavior by paying high prices, while others believe that people should be free to spend their money as they choose.
• The definition of a 'fee' is debated, with some arguing that it should be a fixed charge rather than a percentage of the purchase price.