Resolution calling on ticket vendors to address the use of ticket bots by finding a technological solution that would prevent the use of illegal software, limiting the number of tickets that can be purchased per-person and charging reasonable fees

Res. No. 1101

Resolution calling on ticket vendors to address the use of ticket bots by finding a technological solution that would prevent the use of illegal software, limiting the number of tickets that can be purchased per-person and charging reasonable fees

By Council Member Richards

Whereas, New Yorkers regularly face difficulty purchasing face-value tickets to concerts and sporting events because of price gouging, immediate sell-outs, and outrageous fees; and

Whereas, According to a report by the state attorney general, ticketing is a “fixed game”; and

Whereas, State law requires that brokers must be licensed in order to safeguard against fraud, extortion, and similar abuses; and

Whereas, Ticket-buying software (ticket bots) is banned under state law; and

Whereas, State law requires that any fees charged by vendors must be reasonable; and

Whereas, The current legal framework is not effective at ensuring that consumers can buy face-value tickets; and

Whereas, Many brokers rely on ticket bots to purchase tickets at high speed, depleting the ticket stock; and

Whereas, Ticket resale platforms, such as StubHub and TicketsNow, are in the best position to ensure that their broker customers follow New York law by requiring that brokers provide their license number and disclosing the face value of tickets they are offering for sale; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on ticket vendors to address the use of ticket bots by finding a technological solution that would prevent the use of illegal software, limiting the number of tickets that can be purchased per-person and charging reasonable fees.

LS #7487

6/3/2016

JR