FTC sues Ticketmaster and Live Nation over ticket resales, alleges 'deceptive' pricing

Core Points - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation for allegedly deceiving artists and consumers regarding ticket pricing and limits [1][6] - The lawsuit claims that Ticketmaster and Live Nation engaged in tacit coordination with brokers, allowing them to acquire tickets illegally and sell them at inflated prices in the secondary market [2][3] - The FTC's complaint highlights deceptive practices such as bait-and-switch pricing and misleading advertising about ticket availability [3][6] Legal and Regulatory Context - The FTC's lawsuit alleges violations of the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, seeking civil penalties and monetary relief against Ticketmaster [6] - The lawsuit follows a previous antitrust case under the Biden administration, which accused Live Nation of monopolistic practices in the live event ticketing market [8][10] - An executive order signed by President Trump aimed to combat ticket scalping and promote price transparency in ticket sales, directing the FTC to enforce the BOTS Act [5][8] Market Impact - The lawsuit could potentially lead to significant changes in the operations of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, including the possibility of Live Nation being compelled to divest Ticketmaster [8][10] - The controversy surrounding Ticketmaster's website crash during a high-profile ticket sale event has intensified scrutiny on the company's practices and market dominance [10]