Department of Justice Reportedly Planning To Sue Live Nation
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is allegedly planning to sue Live Nation on antitrust grounds. In 2022, the company faced some backlash from lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups when a Ticketmaster crash blocked thousands of Taylor Swift fans from purchasing tickets for the Eras Tour due to “unprecedented demand.” The New York Times reported that the DOJ opened an investigation into the company shortly after.
Some Live Nation Background
In 2010, Live Nation acquired Ticketmaster. According to Axios, the DOJ at the time didn’t sue to block the deal but “barred” the company from pressuring concert venues to use its ticketing software through a legal order called “consent decree.” They mentioned that the ten-year consent decree was extended for more than five years in 2020. They revised the settlement to include an anti-retaliation clause that would subject the company to a $1 million penalty each time should it threaten to withhold shows if a venue sold tickets through a company other than Ticketmaster.
Fox Business reported that critics at the time said the “stipulations would drive-up ticket costs for consumers instead of lowering them, fearing the concert promoter Live Nation, which already owned or ran 135 major concert venues around the world at the time, would pressure those venues into exclusively using its new ticketing arm.”
The Wall Street Journal broke the news of a possible lawsuit earlier this week. They reported that the DOJ could file a suit as soon as next month.
Last month, in a blog post, the company tried to counter the narrative that it’s responsible for inflated ticket pricing, saying that tickets “are actually priced by artists and teams.” They continued, “It’s their show, they get to decide what it costs to get in. The NFL tickets on Ticketmaster were priced by the home teams, concert tickets were priced by the performer’s business teams, Monster Jam tickets were priced by its producer (Feld Entertainment), and so forth.”
Some people have said that a lawsuit would ultimately result in a settlement. Axios mentioned that this could be a possibility “given that the government’s complaint reportedly won’t target the company’s fundamental business model, but rather some of its business practices.”
Department of Justice: Other Major Company Lawsuits
Recently, the DOJ sued Apple for monopolizing smartphone markets. The suit aims to show how Apple allegedly molds its technology and business relationships to “extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others.”
The DOJ has sued Google multiple times since 2020. Earlier this year, they sued Google for monopolizing digital advertising technologies.
7 No-Nos That Spell Bad Etiquette at Concerts
Excessive Phone User
Bright screens and loud notifications can be distracting. Silence your phone, and if you need to use it, step out of the concert area. This also goes for taking photos and videos. A few pics or short videos are cool, but nobody wants to watch the whole concert through your shaky camera. Plus, it can block others’ views. In July, Miranda Lambert stopped her Las Vegas concert mid-song to call out fans for taking selfies.
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In & Out Concertgoer
Don’t be that person who’s always up and down during a concert. If you absolutely have to leave your seat, do it quietly when there’s a break between songs. Think about it, every time you get up, you make a whole row stand up to let you through. So, save your bathroom breaks and drink refills for intermissions, or opt for an aisle seat if you know you’ll be up and down a lot during the show. It’ll help keep things smooth for everyone.
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Loud Chit Chat
Nobody likes the person who talks loudly during the entire concert. They’re the one who chats with their friends at full volume, not realizing they’re annoying everyone else trying to enjoy the music. Essentially, they unintentionally disrupt the concert experience for others who just want to listen to the music without constant chatter in the background. If you want to chat, do it outside the concert area.
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Inebriation Nation
Excessive drinking or drug use can lead to obnoxious behavior and can be a safety concern. In a way, the concertgoer who’s sloppy drunk or high is like the wild card at the concert. They add an unpredictable element to the mix. While they might be having a blast, their actions can be a distraction and annoyance to others who are trying to enjoy the music in a more composed manner.
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Space Invader
Remember to respect people’s personal space and be aware of how you move around in the crowd. Most concerts are all about dancing and having a good time, so feel free to dance the night away. Just be sure to look around and make sure you’re not accidentally bumping into others while you’re at it. Additionally, being considerate means refraining from pushing or shoving them to get closer to the stage.
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