Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger

From: Twin Cities Daily Planet

Nealy two weeks ago, the UK approved the merger of two behemoth entertainment companies, Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Since this decision, both fans and entertainment venues have spoken out amidst the news, contending the merger on the grounds of anti-trust laws, including famous Minneapolis club, First Avenue. Moreover, The American Antitrust Institute, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Ticket Brokers, the National Consumers League and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) have launched a new website called TicketDisaster as a clearinghouse for opposition to the merger.

"It has almost become prohibitively expensive to attend most music venues. In fact, arena shows, not that they put on a show worth attending, have already become far more pricey than the return gained. Ticketmaster and Live Nation are criminals in the vein of the robber barons of the early 20th century. They have been allowed to operate, and steal, with impunity for far too long already. To allow this merger to proceed would be tantamount, in my opinion, to complicit criminal negligence.

Please, review the facts, and do the right thing. Do not allow these criminal enterprises to consolidate their powers and efforts to rob us of our hard earned money. We only wish to see our music live as we attempt to engage in one of the last free demonstrations of creative choice." ~ Pipe Scuttleworth

If you're an active concert attendee and purchaser of both Ticketmaster and Live Nation events, then please visit www.ticketdisaster.org for more information.

* Photo Credit - Wikipedia