Live Nation, the entertainment giant which owns Ticketmaster, has been illegally operating as a monopoly and overcharging fans, a federal jury has found. The verdict followed four days of deliberations in a trial that could have a major impact on the music industry. The concert venue and music festival owner could be forced to divest parts of its business or even split from Ticketmaster, an outcome former Attorney General Merrick Garland called for when he filed the lawsuit in May 2024. The US Department of Justice's legal action argued that the firm's practices kept out competitors and led to higher ticket prices and worse service for customers. Aside from the potential remedies, which will be decided by Judge Arun Subramanian, Live Nation could face financial penalties as well. The jury found Ticketmaster had overcharged customers by $1.72 (£1.27) for each ticket sold, the figure to be used as the basis for damages. Throughout the trial, Live Nation contended it does not operate as a monopoly and competes 'fiercely' with rivals in the entertainment space. In March, the Department of Justice revealed a settlement with both companies, but disagreement arose as the DOJ withdrew from the case just weeks before the trial. In response to consumer and legislative pressure regarding Live Nation’s dominance, particularly after the chaos surrounding Taylor Swift’s 2022 Eras Tour, calls for an investigation grew louder. The company's system was overwhelmed during ticket sales, leading to apologies from Ticketmaster to fans and even a Senate hearing to address these issues. Live Nation has yet to comment on this recent ruling.