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President Obama signs nationwide legislation banning ticket bots
"It's now a federal offense to use computer software to buy tickets online"
http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/12/president-obama-signs-nationwide-legislation-banning-ticket-bots/
by Collin Brennan
President Obama has signed into law the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, which makes it a federal offense to use computer software to buy tickets online. The bill, which was passed by the Senate last month and the House last week, deems ticketing bots “an unfair and deceptive practice” in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Ticketing bots are pieces of software that can snatch up thousands of tickets within seconds of them going on sale, resulting in those same tickets being sold for a heavy markup on third-party sites like StubHub. Those who use such bots, as well as those aware of their use, will now be liable for punishment under the law. According to the bill’s Republican sponsor, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, the legislation will “level the playing field” for those frequenting ticketing sites.
As part of the signed legislation, the federal government can also intervene and file civil suits on behalf of people who were shut out of purchasing tickets due to scalpers using ticketing bots. It remains to be seen how effective the new legislation will be, but this seems like a win for the average music fan.
Below, revisit our documentary Sold Out!: Inside America’s Ticketing Landscape:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqgpzGyfIVM
http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/12/president-obama-signs-nationwide-legislation-banning-ticket-bots/
by Collin Brennan
President Obama has signed into law the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, which makes it a federal offense to use computer software to buy tickets online. The bill, which was passed by the Senate last month and the House last week, deems ticketing bots “an unfair and deceptive practice” in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Ticketing bots are pieces of software that can snatch up thousands of tickets within seconds of them going on sale, resulting in those same tickets being sold for a heavy markup on third-party sites like StubHub. Those who use such bots, as well as those aware of their use, will now be liable for punishment under the law. According to the bill’s Republican sponsor, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, the legislation will “level the playing field” for those frequenting ticketing sites.
As part of the signed legislation, the federal government can also intervene and file civil suits on behalf of people who were shut out of purchasing tickets due to scalpers using ticketing bots. It remains to be seen how effective the new legislation will be, but this seems like a win for the average music fan.
Below, revisit our documentary Sold Out!: Inside America’s Ticketing Landscape:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqgpzGyfIVM
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Comments
Return of the F5!
Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
Tell me what you want Eddie.
He said that without a dedicated agency, or team, to go after the people who use the bots, it will be near impossible to stop them.
He said it will take stronger efforts from local states attorneys, like the one in NY, going after the individual brokers to put an end to the bots.
In addition, Ticketmaster has no vested interest in putting an end to the bots even though could very easily. Unless there is legislative and legal pressure to do so.
Also it seems the public is so well trained to go online and buy aftermarket tickets that there is no reason for the brokers to stop until forced.
Stubhub is poised to break 3 billion in sales this year.
Good luck on future sales