Live Nation has launched its first salvo to counter the US government’s antitrust lawsuit presenting technical defences, disputing DoJ claims over a ‘tying arrangement’ and arguing that claims made under state law are “threadbare and conclusory”
Live Nation has launched its first formal rebuttal against the US government’s antitrust lawsuit, which accuses the live giant of anticompetitive conduct and aims to force a sale of its Ticketmaster business. In a letter to the court, the live giant’s legal team highlighted a number of technical defences, noting that the judge overseeing the case recently invited them to identify key issues that will form part of a future motion for dismissal.
We’ve already had some arguments from Live Nation’s public affairs team against allegations made by the US government’s Department Of Justice, including that the company’s net profits do not suggest monopoly power, that the live events market is more competitive than ever, and nothing proposed by the government department will reduce ticket prices. The lawyers, however, have honed in on legal technicalities rather than big bold statements.
They say the government accuses Live Nation of creating an “unlawful tying arrangement” between its amphitheater venues and concert promotions business. However, any exclusivity arrangements between the company’s venues and promoters are actually protected, rather than forbidden, by US federal competition law, aka antitrust law. Meanwhile allegations Live Nation has violated state-level laws lack detail and, in some cases, have been made too late.
Read the full article at Complete Music Update
https://completemusicupdate.com/live-nation-fights-back-in-antitrust-battle-with-us-government/
