Feds point to Taylor Swift ticket fiasco as evidence of Live Nation and Ticketmaster's monopoly

Core Points - The federal antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster has begun, focusing on the 2022 ticketing issues during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour [1][2] - The government claims that the lack of competition has allowed Live Nation and Ticketmaster to provide subpar services to fans and venues [2][4] - Allegations include that the companies prioritize growth over system maintenance, leading to significant failures during ticket sales [3][4] Group 1: Allegations and Issues - The trial highlights a specific incident where Ticketmaster's website crashed during a pre-sale event for Taylor Swift's tickets, which was attributed to system failures and bot attacks [3] - The government argues that Live Nation uses its monopoly power to control competition and threatens venues to ensure they continue using Ticketmaster [4][5] - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is joined by 39 states and the District of Columbia in seeking to split Live Nation from Ticketmaster and pursue monetary damages for affected fans [5] Group 2: Live Nation's Defense - Live Nation denies the allegations, asserting that ticket prices are determined by artists and the free market, not the company itself [6] - The defense claims that the live events industry is more competitive than ever, with a lawyer stating that concerts are better and more enjoyable than in the past [7] - Live Nation argues that it competes for customers through the quality of its products and services, not through threats [8] Group 3: Trial Duration and Witnesses - The trial is expected to last six weeks and will feature testimony from various industry insiders, including musicians and executives [10] - Notable witnesses include Kid Rock and Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment [10]