Live Nation Antitrust Appeal Rejected by Supreme Court

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme Court has declined to hear Live Nation's appeal in a consumer antitrust case, allowing an appeals court decision to stand that deemed the company's arbitration agreements with customers as "unconscionable" and unenforceable under California law [2][3]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The appeals court ruling enables consumers to proceed with their antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which is accused of colluding to inflate ticket prices [3][4]. - A lawsuit filed by fans of Taylor Swift and other musicians alleges that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act by colluding to operate as an illegal enterprise [4]. Group 2: Allegations Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and seven states have sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation, claiming they illegally sold event tickets acquired by brokers and misled consumers and artists regarding prices and policies [5][6]. - The complaint asserts that Ticketmaster violated the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) by allowing brokers to purchase tickets beyond artists' limits and selling them at significant markups in the secondary market [6]. Group 3: Regulatory Scrutiny - The U.S. Justice Department has previously filed a suit to dismantle Live Nation, citing antitrust violations and monopolistic practices, particularly since the merger with Ticketmaster in 2010 [7].