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U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Peter Welch (D-VT) have launched the Fans First Act, which might assist “address flaws in the current live event ticketing system by increasing transparency in ticket sales, protecting consumers from fake or dramatically overpriced tickets, and holding bad actors who engage in illegal ticket sale practices accountable,” in keeping with the announcement.
The act is the most recent initiative by the senators, who’ve led Congress’ efforts to fight excessive and exploitative ticket pricing for live shows and different live-entertainment occasions. Since the ticketing system moved on-line over the previous dozen years, it has turn out to be ripe for abuse, with scalpers and bots shortly buying 1000’s of tickets and reselling them for astronomical costs, leaving followers little alternative however to pay lots of or 1000’s of {dollars} above the record worth in an effort to attend live shows. The scenario turned exceptionally heated in 2022 when Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift tour tickets went on sale and costs nearly instantly soared to 1000’s of {dollars}. While Ticketmaster — by far the dominant ticket retailer — and different shops have made many efforts to regulate the scenario, their efforts have been solely partially profitable.
The transfer follows an identical motion authorised Wednesday by the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee: a collection of long-in-the-works ticketing reforms centered round pricing transparency and speculative promoting.
The Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act would require major and secondary sellers like Live Nation’s Ticketmaster, SeatGeek and StubHub to reveal the total ticket worth, together with charges, firstly of a transaction, previous to seat choice. Secondary sellers may even be forbidden from transacting tickets they don’t really possess.
According to the Senators’ announcement, the Fair Fans act would assist handle the next areas within the present ticketing system:
Ticket Sales Transparency:
Requires all stay occasion ticket sellers and resellers to reveal:
The whole value of the ticket, together with charges, when the fan initially selects a ticket for buy;
A breakdown of the ticket value;
Clear phrases and circumstances of buy;
Which seat or part they’re promoting in to keep away from ticket misrepresentation;
and whether or not or not they’re the unique vendor.
Consumer Protection:
Strengthens the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, signed into regulation in 2016, to additional prohibit the usage of bots to buy tickets on-line.
Requires sellers and resellers to offer proof of buy to customers inside 24 hours of buy.
Requires sellers and resellers to refund customers the total value of the ticket when occasions are canceled.
Requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine to additional examine {the marketplace} and make suggestions.
Stopping Bad Actors:
Imposes civil penalties on resellers participating in unlawful ticket sale practices, creates a reporting web site for followers to file complaints, and duties the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys normal with enforcement.
Prohibits the sale of a ticket that the reseller represents they possess however really don’t, often called a speculative or “spec” ticket.
Prevents the usage of misleading web sites and dangerous actors masquerading as reliable sellers.
Requires reporting of BOTS Act violations from ticketing firms to the FTC and requires the FBI to share ticketing violations with them.
According to the announcement, the laws is endorsed by the Fix the Tix Coalition, National Independent Venue Association, Seattle Theatre Group, Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, National Independent Talent Organization, Eventbrite, Performing Arts Alliance, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, International Association of Venue Managers, Songwriters of North America, Americans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Future of Music Coalition, Artists Rights Alliance, Music Managers Forum, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
About the act, Cornyn stated: “The current ticketing system is riddled with problems and doesn’t serve the needs of fans, teams, artists, or venues. This legislation would rebuild trust in the ticketing system by cracking down on bots and others who take advantage of consumers through price gouging and other predatory practices and increase price transparency for ticket purchasers.”
Klobuchar added, “Buying a ticket to see your favorite artist or team is out of reach for too many Americans. Bots, hidden fees, and predatory practices are hurting consumers whether they want to catch a home game, an up-and-coming artist or a major headliner like Taylor Swift or Bad Bunny. From ensuring fans get refunds for canceled shows to banning speculative ticket sales, this bipartisan legislation will improve the ticketing experience.”
Ticketmaster proprietor Live Nation was fast to applaud the transfer, saying in a press release: “We support the Fans First Act and welcome legislation that brings positive reform to live event ticketing. We believe it’s critical Congress acts to protect fans and artists from predatory resale practices, and have long supported a federal all-in pricing mandate, banning speculative ticketing and deceptive websites, as well as other measures. We look forward to our continued work with policymakers to advocate for even stronger reforms and enforcement.”
“Fans have become increasingly frustrated with how difficult it has been to obtain affordable tickets to see their favorite artists perform,” stated Sen. Blackburn. “Bots are snatching up tickets and selling them for exorbitant prices on secondary markets, while some ticketing companies are selling speculative event tickets that don’t even exist. This bipartisan legislation builds upon my work to safeguard artists and their fans in the online ticket marketplace.”
“Live entertainment serves as a form of enjoyment and community for concert-goers and sports fans everywhere. However, the current ticketing system is limiting access to live entertainment, eroding consumer trust, and hurting fans and local venues,” stated Sen. Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Fans First Act to ensure the sale of tickets is accessible to all consumers. This bill builds upon my work to improve ticket sale transparency by strengthening the FTC to enforce consumer protections. This is one step forward in making live entertainment accessible for all to enjoy.”
“Deceptive ticketing practices have become far too common. This bipartisan effort would result in more transparency and less price gauging,” stated Sen. Wicker. “The pro-consumer legislation would benefit fans of sports, music, theatre, or any other kind of live entertainment.”
“Live concerts and sporting events are beloved American pastimes and pay dividends to our local economy. It’s important that every ticketholder can access these events without fear of exploitation by scammers,” stated Sen. Welch. “The Fans First Act will help protect American consumers from the financial harms of price gouging by banning speculative tickets and deceptive URLs, in addition to requiring all-in pricing be listed up front. This legislation will strengthen consumer protection by establishing refund requirements for customers impacted by fraud, helping to ensure that everyone can enjoy live events without worrying about the security of their ticket.”
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