Jury Slams Ticketmaster: Illegal Monopoly in Ticketing Market

A jury has ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally held monopoly power in the ticketing market. The verdict came in a case brought by state attorneys general, who pushed forward even after the Department of Justice reached its own separate settlement.

That federal deal, struck in March, required Ticketmaster to divest up to 13 amphitheaters. But state AGs apparently wanted more than a handshake and some venue sell-offs.

The jury's finding is a significant legal blow to the entertainment giant. Live Nation — which merged with Ticketmaster back in 2010 — has long faced accusations of using its dominance across live events and ticketing to crush competition.

Now a jury agrees. The monopoly label is official, and the fallout for how concerts and events get ticketed could be substantial.