Washington, D.C., partner Lee Simowitz, who focuses his practice on antitrust, trade regulation, and consumer protection law, was quoted in the October 16, 2009, Wall Street Journal article, "Justice Agency Resists Music Merger."
According to the article, a proposed merger that would create a powerhouse in the music business is facing stiff resistance from the Justice Department, and will require major concessions. Negotiations are continuing between Justice Department officials and executives of Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. and Live Nation Inc., and no final decision has been reached. While both companies are exploring potential remedies that could help them overcome any antitrust objections, the Justice Department officials had provided little guidance on the kind of steps that might be required to alleviate those concerns, according to the article.
"Sometimes enforcers give you a roadmap of divestitures. Sometimes they wait for the company to provide answers. And sometimes they don't see a real solution to the concerns they have," said Simowitz.