A federal antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster is set to resume on Monday in a New York court after negotiations failed to result in a settlement between the companies and 30 states.
The Justice Department reached a tentative settlement with seven states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and South Dakota, but the remaining states plan to continue their case, accusing the companies of squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
The states claim Live Nation and Ticketmaster use threats, retaliation, and other tactics to control the industry, while the companies argue they do not monopolize the market and that artists, sports teams, and venues set prices and decide how tickets are sold.
Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against Live Nation's objection to trial exhibits, including a company employee's statement that customers paying for VIP access are "so stupid" and that the company is taking advantage of them.
The trial began last week, and the Justice Department reached a deal with the seven states over the weekend, but many states criticized the agreement, saying it did not get enough concessions from Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
