What We’re Doing About It
The laws regarding ticket scalping vary by state and country, complicating matters that much more. In Washington and Idaho, there are currently no laws regarding ticket scalping. Oregon has a law which “…prohibits person from intentionally selling or using software to circumvent, thwart, interfere with or evade any control or measure that ensures equitable distribution, sale or resale of admission tickets for entertainment event.”
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released a report earlier this year reporting on the state’s issues regarding ticket resale practices, following the repeal of many “anti-scalping” laws in 2007. After taking in the concerns of many fans and artists, the study found that “The problem is not simply that demand for prime seats exceeds supply, especially for the most in-demand events. Ticketing, to put it bluntly, is a fixed game.”
The report also called for increased regulation of the ticketing industry, such as forcing promoters disclosing the number of seats held, capping permissible resale markups, finding technological solutions to ticket-bots, and creating criminal penalties for ticket-bot usage.
Some have even attempted to take it to a federal level, like Congressman Marsha Blackburn. She sponsored a bill which would “prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or practice in commerce, the sale or use of certain software to circumvent control measures used by Internet ticket sellers to ensure equitable consumer access to tickets for any given event, and to provide for criminal penalties for such acts.” The bill is currently withering away in Congress, as it was referred to committee over a year ago and has a dim prognosis.
Artists are trying to do their part as well, exerting what control they have over that sector of the industry in as positive a manner as possible. The aforementioned Kaskade has been joined by the likes of Bassnectar, Excision, GRiZ, and more in attempting to help out those who need it most when ticket scalping goes awry: the fans.
Groups like the Grateful Dead and Phish have come up with creative ways to deliver tickets to their swarms of fans on tours as well. Things like staggering ticket release dates, special VIP fan sales, and online ticket lotteries for their in-demand shows. From coming up with ways to thwart the practice altogether to calling out the scalpers themselves, everyone is on the same page when it comes to ticket scalpers.
While we’re all on the same page, we continue to struggle to find real answers. There is a lot of money and people involved, so a simple solution isn’t likely. Toss in the technology aspect and it almost makes the problem too much to even consider. Almost.
Ultimately, as it always manages to, it comes down to us. The fans buying the tickets (erm, re-buying the tickets) are the ones in control, as is any consumer with a product.
The ‘easy’ way to make ticket scalping disappear is to not buy tickets from scalpers, ‘authorized’ or otherwise. Without the bulging market demanding any and all tickets to events, regardless of conceptually confounding costs, ticket scalpers would have nobody to sell their overpriced-goods to.
Until we’re able to do that, paying attention is a good start. Doing what we can to help progress legislation and awareness of these practices will, hopefully, reduce their effectiveness in monopolizing our live-event experiences. Coming up with and supporting new endeavors from artists like Kaskade, Phish, and more concerned for our well-being can also make an impact.
But, nothing creates change quite like the purchasing power of the dollar.
Important things happen in Pacific Northwest nightlife, and DMNW will send you alerts!
Born and raised in the Northwest, professionalized in Pullman. Enjoying the ride that dance music provides in our lovely corner of the country.
