The Federal Trade Commission sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation for allegedly engaging in “illegal” ticket resale tactics. The suit was filed in California federal court on Thursday. Seven states joined the suit alongside the FTC.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, over what it called “illegal” ticket resale tactics.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in California. Seven states joined in the lawsuit, including Florida, Illinois and Virginia.
In the filing, the FTC wrote that the companies “tacitly worked” with scalpers, allowing them to “unlawfully purchase” tickets to increase their profits.
“[Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s] illegal conduct frustrates artists’ desire to maintain affordable ticket prices that fit the needs of ordinary American families, costing ordinary fans millions of dollars every year,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit alleged Ticketmaster has taken a “bait and switch” approach, which allows the company to alter its advertising of ticket prices to effectively lift total prices, according to the FTC. It also alleges that the company