SCI Ticketing, which is owned by String Cheese Incident and Madison House Inc., has filed a lawsuit in U.S. Federal Court against Ticketmaster, claiming that the corporation is monopolizing the concert ticketing industry. The suit also alleges that Ticketmaster has entered into agreements with Clear Channel Communications Inc. to restrain trade in the market of concert tickets. SCI Ticketing, which provides the bands fans with more affordable ticket prices, is seeking damages and a court order barring Ticketmaster from the alleged anti-competitive practices. A spokesperson for String Cheese Incident said the band would not comment until Monday, when a press conference is scheduled at the Inter-Continental Barclay Hotel in New York City. Speakers will include the bands manager, booking agent and co-founder of Madison House, Mike Luba, String Cheese Incident bassist Keith Moseley, and internet pioneer/Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow.
A spokesperson for Ticketmaster says it does not comment on pending lawsuits as a matter of policy.