08 PEET PNC NASO.JPG

A couple picnics outside before a Don Henley concert at The PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel in 2000.

(Jon Naso/The Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — Thousands of concertgoers who attended shows at PNC Bank Arts Center can now apply for free tickets under a preliminary court settlement with promoter Live Nation.

The settlement is the result of a class-action lawsuit filed by two New Jersey men in 2009 that accuses Live Nation — the company that manages the Holmdel amphitheater — of violating state consumer protection laws by padding ticket prices.

The suit claimed it was illegal for the company to include a mandatory $6 parking fee to each ticket at the venue whether or not the ticket holder intended to park there.

The settlement was approved last month in federal court, and hearing to finalize it is scheduled for March 28 in Trenton.

But those affected can begin filing for tickets. Under the settlement, anyone who bought tickets online from June 23, 2003 to June 15, 2011 is allowed to claim three free tickets for lawn seating at select events at either PNC Bank Arts Center or the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, as well as a coupon code for $5 discounts on tickets.

Live Nation estimates that nearly 363,000 people are eligible.

Henry Wolfe, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said those who have been deemed eligible have already been sent e-mails or traditional mail notifying them.

Those who have not been notified but believe they are eligible can file a request online or contact one of the two law firms that represent the class: the Wolf Law Firm of North Brunswick or Squitieri & Fearon of Jersey City.

Visit www.livenationsettlement.com to file a claim or find more information on the case. You have until April 30 to submit.

The settlement does not include people who bought tickets at the Arts Center's box office, even if they paid with a credit card.

Live Nation would admit no wrongdoing under the settlement if a judge finalizes it.

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