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Utah Joins DOJ’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Ticketmaster, Strengthening Nationwide Effort

By  |  August 28, 2024

Utah has taken a significant step in the ongoing battle against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, by joining the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit. This legal action accuses the companies of exploiting their dominant position in the concert and live entertainment industry to inflate ticket prices and stifle competition, harming fans across the country.

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    The Beehive State is one of 10 states that recently joined the lawsuit, originally filed in Manhattan in May. The coalition of plaintiffs now includes 39 states and the District of Columbia, underscoring the widespread concerns over Ticketmaster’s business practices.

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    Related: Live Nation May Face Antitrust Lawsuit

    Utah’s decision to join the DOJ lawsuit is seen as a positive development for local fans, including those involved in a separate legal battle against Ticketmaster. Julie Barfuss, a resident of West Jordan, is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the Dallas-based Kinder Law PLLC, which represents more than 350 plaintiffs. Barfuss is one of five Utahns involved in this separate case, part of the larger grassroots movement “Take Down Ticketmaster.”

    In response to Utah’s decision and the growing number of states involved in the DOJ lawsuit, a spokesperson for Live Nation Entertainment stated, “There is nothing new in the amended [Department of Justice] complaint — the lawsuit still won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows. We look forward to sharing more facts as the case progresses.”

    Source: SL Trib