Concert promoter Live Nation, which also controls ticketing giant Ticketmaster, has been convicted of violating competition laws in the United States.

After a five-week trial, a jury in New York has handed down its verdict against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster, which is considered to have maintained an illegal monopoly in the ticket market.

The civil case accuses Live Nation of using its reach to stifle competition – for example, by blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers.

In March, the concert giant reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice and 40 states and was forced to pay just over two billion kronor in damages to the affected states.

However, the agreement was rejected by a majority of state prosecutors, who moved forward with their own demands against the event organizer.

Source: Aftonbladet-tt.se