JDSupra (11/26/18)

As part of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) consideration of adjusting competition and consumer protection laws, FTC staff will hold a workshop concentrating on these issues as relating to online event ticket sales. The agency has observed frequent complaints about this industry's business practices from consumers and competitors, and it is seeking public comment by Dec. 5, 2018. The session aims to convene industry representatives, consumer advocates, trade associations, academics, and government officials to discuss the matter. FTC staff are reviewing a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report ahead of the hearing, which concluded that primary-market ticket prices are generally lower, while secondary-market tickets typically cost higher than face value. Among the GAO's observations was that online ticket brokers have a competitive edge, while their fees lack disclosure and carry excessive dollar amounts. In addition, some online tickets are speculative or fraudulent, while designated resale exchanges harm consumers. Suggested solutions include banning nontransferable tickets, setting price caps, mandating up-front disclosure of fees and tickets' face value on resale sites, and obligating disclosure of ticket availability.

Read the full article on the JDSupra website.