Regas Cristou (owner of Denver clubs Vinyl, Two AM, The Church and Bar Standard) has recently sued Brad Roulier (co-fouder of Beatport and owner of Beta nightclub) as well as New York-based booking agency, AM Only, of having “an unfair monopoly on A-list DJ bookings in Denver dance clubs,” according to the Denver Post.
The reason for the lawsuit is that Beatport, using its major power over the electronic music scene, has “coerced” DJs to play only at Beta when in Denver. Cristou goes further to say that if DJs want the full support of Beatport on a promotional level, they must agree to exclusively play at Beta.
Specifically, DJ Rap was told that her two labels would be pulled from Beatport if she played at another venue in Denver, regardless of the fact that she preferred a gig at The Church. Other performers caught up in the suit include Christopher Lawrence, Deadmau5, Sasha and DJ Dan. Cristou claims he’s suffered more than $1 million in losses.
Cristou’s lawyer, Jeffrey S. Vail, reports that there is substantial evidence toward these allegations while Roulier’s lawyer, Joe L. Silver, stated that Cristou is confusing Beta’s popularity among artists and the public as unfair competition.
Stay posted for updates.