Court Partially Dismisses Taylor Swift Eras Tour Ticket Lawsuit
A California federal court has partially dismissed a lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC, related to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket sales.
Overview of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was led by plaintiff Julie Barfuss, along with 363 other Taylor Swift fans. The case initially began in the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2022 before being moved to federal jurisdiction.
Key Events and Rulings
- Judge: U.S. District Judge George H. Wu
- Claims Dismissed: Negligence, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation
- Claim Surviving: Breach of contract in limited form
- Remaining Claims: Antitrust and unfair competition
The court found that the plaintiffs did not sufficiently support their negligence and fraud allegations. Specifically, they failed to establish a plausible connection under California’s economic loss rule, which limits tort claims arising from contractual relationships.
Antitrust and Competition Issues
Despite dismissing several claims, Judge Wu allowed the antitrust allegations to proceed. These claims assert that Live Nation and Ticketmaster engaged in monopolistic practices, impacting ticket prices and fair access for consumers.
Plaintiffs’ Allegations
The plaintiffs argue that the companies forced fans into a system where they had to buy and resell tickets only through Ticketmaster’s platforms. This strategy led to inflated prices and significant complications during the ticketing process for the Eras Tour.
Next Steps in the Litigation
The plaintiffs retain the opportunity to amend their breach of contract claim but must specify the terms they allege were breached. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs are John M. Genga of Genga & Associates P.C. and Jennifer A. Kinder from Kinder Law PLLC.
The case is designated as Barfuss, et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment Inc., et al., Case No. 2:23-cv-01114, and is ongoing in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
