Ontario attorney general to investigate TicketMaster

There's more bad legal news for Ticketmaster, which is already facing two class actions in Canada and just settled a costly fight with Bruce Springsteen and his fans.

The Canadian Press has learned Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General is looking into the sale and pricing of tickets for entertainment and sporting events in the province.

A source close to Attorney General Chris Bentley says the minister "is exploring options right now to address mounting concerns about access to tickets and the cost of tickets."

The source says the attorney general wants to make sure families are being treated fairly when they buy tickets to concerts or other events.

It's not known whether those options would include legislation or a formal investigation into the sale and resale of tickets.

Bentley is expected to have more to say on the matter when he meets with reporters following Monday's question period at the Ontario legislature.

New Jersey, Springsteen backlash

Ticketmaster had to change the way it sells tickets online after a widespread backlash over allegedly inflated prices for Bruce Springsteen concert tickets.

More than 2,000 fans complained about their attempts to buy tickets onlineto a Feb. 2 Springsteen concert in New Jersey.The site redirected them to a subsidiary, TicketsNow, which offered the tickets at an inflated price.

In a settlement with the state of New Jersey, Ticketmaster will have to pay the state $350,000 US to settle costs associated with the state's investigation of the matter.

Soon after, two law firms in Canadalaunched class actions against Ticketmaster and related parties in Ontario.

They say their clients also bought tickets at inflated prices from TicketsNow after first being turned away by Ticketmaster.

The law firms allege Ticketmaster and the other defendants owe a total of $500 million in damages to those who were overcharged.