Readers respond to Question of the Week:

Is Ticketmaster an illegal monopoly?

Yes, there’s no doubt about the monopoly

There’s no doubt TM/LN represents a monopoly and should be broken up. They should never have been allowed to merge in the first place. There’s a problem with a corporation making millions of dollars at the expense of artists (not named Taylor Swift) who don’t get revenue from record sales like they used to.

They bought up many of what used to be independently owned venues in L.A., so instead of those venues competing for talent through higher appearance fees, and for customers through better prices, everything is rigged for TM/LN’s profit. They do the same thing all over the country. Break them up.

— Norm Gibson, Torrance

Ticketmaster needs to go down for business practice

I support the ending of Ticketmaster’s strangeling of competition in live event sales. You can’t go to a box office anymore and avoid paying these fees. Pearl Jam tried 30 years ago and it cost them dearly. But live acts need to get realistic about the face value of tickets also. I looked at the price of a ticket for Aerosmith at the Forum, $209 plus fees for the worst nosebleed seats. No thanks. I bought a farewell tour shirt online for $25.

— Duane Hammer, Compton

Live Nation Entertainment

I do not like add-on fees added by many businesses, but as long as Live Nation’s control over the market is held in check, their fees reflect the demand for the concerts that they provide ticketing for. Consumers have the choice of whether to pay for the tickets or not.

On the other hand, local and state governments continually increase their fees (including convenience fee add-ons) for inspections, licenses and permits that are required by law. Residents of those jurisdictions have no choice.

— Alan H. Sarkisian, Torrance

Not a monopoly

Live Nation and Ticketmaster are not monopolies; they are very successful companies. There are still viable options to purchase event tickets. What is the point of punishing companies who create business models that make it easier to buy tickets at venues?

— Stephen Lucas, Van Nuys