Live Nation-Ticketmaster Antitrust Trial Begins

The antitrust trial against Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster began on Tuesday in Federal District Court in Manhattan, where the U.S. Department of Justice accused the companies of operating an illegal monopoly that stifles competition in the live music industry and drives up ticket prices for fans.

In his opening statement, David E. Dahlquist, a lawyer with the Justice Department's antitrust division, described Live Nation as a dominant force that uses strong-arm tactics to maintain control. He said the company requires artists to use its promotion services to perform at its amphitheaters and pressures major venues into exclusive ticketing deals with Ticketmaster by threatening to withhold popular tours. "We are here because they misuse their market power," Dahlquist told the jury. "They earn their profits through illegal action." He emphasized that the case centers on "the power of a monopolist to control competition," arguing that such practices have broken the concert industry.

Live Nation's lawyer, David R. Marriott, countered that the company is not a monopoly despite its size. He portrayed the business as highly competitive, with slim profit...