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Live Nation and Ticketmaster were found guilty of operating as a monopoly after controlling virtually every aspect of live music.
It’s official: Ticketmaster is a monopoly. A jury in New York federal court just ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally dominated the live events industry, vindicating everyone who’s ever punched their computer screen while buying concert tickets. The verdict came after a lengthy trial where evidence surfaced that a Ticketmaster employee had talked about “robbing fans blind.”
The Justice Department and 39 state attorneys general sued Live Nation in 2024, alleging its control of virtually every aspect of the live music ecosystem harmed fans, artists and venues. Mid-trial, the DOJ cut a secret settlement requiring Live Nation to cap service fees at 15% and allow competitors like SeatGeek to sell tickets to its events. The deal includes a $280 million fund for damages.
More than two dozen states rejected the settlement and pushed for trial anyway, securing the monopoly verdict. Now the question is whether that 15% fee cap will actually make tickets affordable — or just slightly less painful.
It’s official: Ticketmaster is a monopoly. A jury in New York federal court just ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally dominated the live events industry, vindicating everyone who’s ever punched their computer screen while buying concert tickets. The verdict came after a lengthy trial where evidence surfaced that a Ticketmaster employee had talked about “robbing fans blind.”
The Justice Department and 39 state attorneys general sued Live Nation in 2024, alleging its control of virtually every aspect of the live music ecosystem harmed fans, artists and venues. Mid-trial, the DOJ cut a secret settlement requiring Live Nation to cap service fees at 15% and allow competitors like SeatGeek to sell tickets to its events. The deal includes a $280 million fund for damages.
More than two dozen states rejected the settlement and pushed for trial anyway, securing the monopoly verdict. Now the question is whether that 15% fee cap will actually make tickets affordable — or just slightly less painful.
${reply?.comment_author}•
${reply?.comment_relative_time}
${reply?.comment_content}
`;
}
function createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment) {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
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return;
}
const borderClasses = isLastComment ? ” : ‘tw:border-b tw:border-slate-200’;
const currentUser = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
const currentUserInitials = currentUser
? getInitials(`${currentUser?.firstName ?? ”} ${currentUser?.lastName ?? ”}`)
: ”;
const repliesHTML = replies.length ? `
${replies.map(buildReplyHTML).join(”)}
` : ”;
const replyButtonHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const replyFormHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const commentDiv = `
${comment?.comment_author}•
${comment?.comment_relative_time}
${comment?.comment_content}
${replyButtonHTML}
${repliesHTML}
${replyFormHTML}
`;
commentListDiv.innerHTML += commentDiv;
}
function displayComments() {
// Empty out the comment list container before refreshing comments.
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
commentListDiv.innerHTML = ”;
const comments = state?.comments ?? [];
if (!comments.length) {
return;
}
// Build a threaded structure: separate top-level from replies.
const repliesByParent = {};
const topLevelComments = [];
comments.forEach(comment => {
if (comment.comment_parent === 0) {
topLevelComments.push(comment);
} else {
const parentId = comment.comment_parent;
if (!repliesByParent[parentId]) {
repliesByParent[parentId] = [];
}
repliesByParent[parentId].push(comment);
}
});
// Apply top-level sort order. Server returns DESC; reverse for oldest-first.
if (state.sortOrder === ‘oldest’) {
topLevelComments.reverse();
}
// Replies always show oldest first within a thread (server returns DESC, so reverse).
Object.keys(repliesByParent).forEach(parentId => {
repliesByParent[parentId].reverse();
});
topLevelComments.forEach((comment, index) => {
const isLastComment = index === topLevelComments.length – 1;
const replies = repliesByParent[comment.comment_ID] ?? [];
createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment);
});
createCommentAvatars();
}
function updateCommentCount() {
const countDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.COMMENT_COUNT);
const sortControls = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_CONTROLS);
if (!countDiv) {
return;
}
const count = state?.comments?.length ?? 0;
// Do not display if there are no comments.
if (count === 0) {
return;
}
countDiv.innerHTML = `${count} Comment${count > 1 ? ‘s’ : ”}`;
if (sortControls) {
sortControls.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
sortControls.classList.add(‘tw:flex’);
}
}
function displayLoader(show) {
const loader = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_LOADER);
const text = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_TEXT);
if (!loader || !text) {
return;
}
// Show or hide the loader.
if (show) {
loader.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
} else {
loader.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
}
}
function displayError(error) {
const errorDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.ERROR);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
if (error) {
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent = `Comment submission error: ${error}`;
} else {
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent=””;
}
}
function clearCommentInput() {
const commentField = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!commentField) {
return;
}
commentField.value=””;
}
function updateComments(comments = []) {
state.comments = comments;
displayComments();
updateCommentCount();
}
function runCommentProcess(type) {
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
// Hide errors, show loader.
displayError();
displayLoader(true);
}
const data = {
type,
postId: 424582,
};
// Get a fresh nonce and either fetch comments or post comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
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displayLoader(false);
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return;
}
const nonce = response?.data?.nonce;
// Get comments.
if (type === ‘getComments’) {
getComments(nonce);
return;
}
// Post comment.
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
postComment(nonce);
}
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(`Error running comment process ${type}: `, e);
});
}
function getComments(nonce) {
const data = {
nonce,
postId: 424582,
};
// Fetch comments.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comments`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
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displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
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updateComments(response?.data?.comments);
displayLoader(false);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, e);
});
}
function postComment(nonce) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
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console.error(‘Error posting comment: Unauthorized. Submission aborted.’);
return;
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const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
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return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: comment.value,
commentParent: 0,
postId: 424582,
uid: user?.uid,
};
// Post the comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(response?.data?.message, true);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
// Handle success.
clearCommentInput();
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(e);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, e);
});
}
function toggleReplyForm(commentId) {
// Close any other open reply forms.
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ep-reply-form’).forEach(function(form) {
if (form.dataset.parentId !== String(commentId)) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
});
// Toggle the targeted reply form.
const targetForm = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + commentId + ‘”]’);
if (targetForm) {
targetForm.classList.toggle(‘tw:hidden’);
if (!targetForm.classList.contains(‘tw:hidden’)) {
targetForm.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’)?.focus();
}
}
}
function setReplyLoading(formEl, isLoading) {
const btn = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
const btnText = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-button-text’);
if (!btn || !btnText) {
return;
}
if (isLoading) {
btnText.textContent=”Posting…”;
btn.disabled = true;
} else {
btnText.textContent=”Post Reply”;
btn.disabled = false;
}
}
function displayReplyError(formEl, error) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv || !error) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=”Reply error: ” + error;
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
}
function clearReplyError(formEl) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=””;
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
}
function postReply(nonce, parentId, replyText, formEl) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: replyText,
commentParent: parentId,
postId: 424582,
uid: user?.uid,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
if (!response.success) {
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’).value=””;
formEl.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function submitReply(parentId, formEl) {
const input = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’);
if (!input || !input.value.trim()) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
setReplyLoading(formEl, true);
clearReplyError(formEl);
const data = {
type: ‘postComment’,
postId: 424582,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
if (!response.success) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
postReply(response?.data?.nonce, parseInt(parentId, 10), input.value.trim(), formEl);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce for reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function setupCommentListDelegation() {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
commentListDiv.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
// Reply button: toggle the inline reply form.
const replyButton = e.target.closest(‘.’ + PublicCommentSelectors.REPLY_BUTTON);
if (replyButton) {
const commentId = replyButton.dataset.commentId;
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
toggleReplyForm(commentId);
return;
}
// Reply cancel: hide the reply form.
const replyCancel = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-cancel’);
if (replyCancel) {
const parentId = replyCancel.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
return;
}
// Reply submit: post the reply.
const replySubmit = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
if (replySubmit) {
const parentId = replySubmit.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
submitReply(parentId, form);
}
}
});
}
function setupUserAvatar() {
const usernameDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USERNAME);
const userAvatar = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USER_AVATAR);
if (!usernameDiv || !userAvatar) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
return;
}
const fullName = `${user?.firstName ?? ”} ${user?.lastName ?? ”}`;
usernameDiv.innerHTML = fullName;
userAvatar.innerHTML = getInitials(fullName);
}
function openLoginModal() {
window?.tp?.pianoId?.show({ displayMode: ‘modal’, screen: ‘login’ });
}
function setupCommentSubmitButton() {
const submitButton = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SUBMIT);
if (!submitButton || state.submitCommentButtonRegistered) {
return;
}
// Register a single click handler that checks auth state at click time.
submitButton.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
runCommentProcess(‘postComment’);
});
state.submitCommentButtonRegistered = true;
}
function setSortOrder(order) {
state.sortOrder = order;
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn && oldestBtn) {
const activeClasses = [‘tw:font-bold’, ‘tw:text-blue-800’];
const inactiveClasses = [‘tw:font-normal’, ‘tw:text-slate-500’];
if (order === ‘newest’) {
newestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
} else {
oldestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
}
}
displayComments();
}
function setupSortControls() {
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn) {
newestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘newest’);
});
}
if (oldestBtn) {
oldestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘oldest’);
});
}
}
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
listenForPianoLogin();
setupCommentSubmitButton();
setupCommentListDelegation();
setupSortControls();
});





