Live Nation Entertainment Inc (LYVN) and a subsidiary of Ticketmaster LLC asked a U.S. judge on Friday to stop a consumer lawsuit over their sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets but only to force the lawsuits to be heard in private. .
The companies are expected to file a lawsuit in Los Angeles, California, federal court accusing them of violating antitrust and consumer laws.
Demand from fans, scalpers and bots for Swift’s first tour in five years caused the Ticketmaster site to crash last fall, and raise new research from American lawmakers and others about the critics saying that there is no competition in the market.
Of the December cry alleged that the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2010 eliminated market competition and allowed companies to charge more for Swift tickets than they could afford.
Companies often settle lawsuits in court to try to resolve cases quickly and limit potential damages. Litigation cases in US courts expose a company to the possibility of triple damages.
In its court filing on Friday, Beverly Hills-based Live Nation said the ticket seller that filed the case “has repeatedly agreed” to settle any claims arising from its use of Ticketmaster’s online system.
Live Nation has successfully argued in other cases that users of its online ticketing platform agreed to arbitrate disputes. The company referred the Los Angeles court to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals manager this month the court upheld a countersuit against the ticket company.
Live Nation’s attorney said the 9th Circuit’s decision on February 13 is “stable authority” that “can and should end” the Los Angeles court’s investigation.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs and Live Nation did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
The case of Sterioff v. Live Nation Entertainment Inc and Ticketmaster LLC, US District Court, Central District of California, No. 2:22-cv-09230-GW-GJS.
For the plaintiff: Lisa Omoto of Faruqi & Faruqi; and Bonner Walsh of Walsh LLC
For the defendant: Timothy O’Mara of Latham & Watkins
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