The US Justice Division and the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) have collectively launched a public inquiry to establish “unfair and anticompetitive practices and conduct within the dwell live performance and leisure trade”.
The 2 authorities businesses are inviting members of the general public to submit feedback and knowledge on “dangerous practices and on potential regulation or laws to guard shoppers within the trade”.
The Businesses mentioned on Wednesday (Could 7) that they may use the knowledge of their preparation of the report and suggestions directed by Donald Trump’s Government Order on “Combating Unfair Practices within the Dwell Leisure Market”.
Trump issued the Government Order (No. 14254) on March 31. It directs the Lawyer Common and the FTC to “be sure that competitors legal guidelines are appropriately enforced within the live performance and leisure trade.”
The Government Order additionally directs the FTC to “rigorously implement the Higher On-line Tickets Gross sales Act, 15 U.S.C. 45c.”
Moreover, the Government Order directs the Lawyer Common, with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the FTC, to submit a report that identifies “suggestions for laws or laws crucial to guard shoppers” within the trade.
The businesses mentioned on Wednesday that they may collaborate with the Secretary of the Treasury on a joint report, with the FTC taking the lead on points associated to the Higher On-line Ticket Gross sales Act.
The businesses are actually searching for info from the general public about “unfair and anticompetitive conduct and practices within the dwell live performance and leisure trade.”
The businesses mentioned on Wednesday that they “encourage feedback offering info on the aggressive results of present state and federal laws and legal guidelines within the dwell live performance and leisure trade, together with the secondary ticketing market”.
The general public could have 60 days to submit feedback, no later than July 6, 2025.
The DOJ and FTC mentioned on Wednesday that “all market contributors’ are invited to offer feedback, together with shoppers, artists, small companies, commerce teams, trade analysts, and different entities which might be “impacted by anticompetitive practices within the dwell live performance and leisure trade”.
“Aggressive dwell leisure markets ought to ship worth to artists and followers alike.”
Abigail Slater, DOJ
“Aggressive dwell leisure markets ought to ship worth to artists and followers alike,” mentioned Assistant Lawyer Common Abigail Slater of the Justice Division’s Antitrust Division.
“We are going to proceed to intently study this market and search for alternatives the place vigorous enforcement of the antitrust legal guidelines can result in elevated competitors that makes tickets extra reasonably priced for followers whereas providing fairer compensation for artists.”
“President Trump has despatched a transparent message that unhealthy actors who exploit followers and warp {the marketplace} is not going to be tolerated.”
Andrew N. Ferguson, FTC
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson added: “Many People really feel like they’re being priced out of dwell leisure by scalpers, bots, and different unfair and misleading practices.
“Now their voices are being heard. President Trump has despatched a transparent message that unhealthy actors who exploit followers and warp {the marketplace} is not going to be tolerated.
“The FTC is proud to assist ship on that promise and restore truthful and aggressive markets that profit odd People.”
Individually, the DOJ, together with 40 state and district attorneys normal, can be at present litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit introduced final 12 months towards Dwell Nation Leisure Inc. and its ticketing division, Ticketmaster LLC, for alleged “monopolization” within the dwell leisure trade.Music Enterprise Worldwide
