The MAIN Event Ticketing Act aims to combat unfair online ticket practices by strengthening the BOTS Act, banning the use of automated systems to bypass security measures, and increasing penalties for violations. It also requires ticket sellers to enhance website security, report circumvention incidents, and coordinate with law enforcement to address cyberattacks on ticketing platforms.
Marsha Blackburn
Senator
TN
The MAIN Event Ticketing Act aims to combat unfair practices in online event ticketing by strengthening the BOTS Act. It bans the use of automated systems to bypass ticket purchasing rules and requires ticket sellers to implement security measures protecting their websites. The act also mandates reporting of circumvention incidents to the FTC, establishes significant penalties for violations, and encourages collaboration between law enforcement agencies to address cyberattacks on ticketing platforms.
MAIN Event Ticketing Act Aims to Shut Down Ticket Bots, Sets New Security Rules and Penalties
The MAIN Event Ticketing Act is all about making it harder for bots to snatch up all the good seats at concerts and events before you even get a chance. This bill directly targets those annoying automated programs that scoop up tons of tickets, forcing regular folks to pay crazy markups on resale sites.
Bot Busting and Security Boosts
This law strengthens the existing BOTS Act by explicitly banning any tech that bypasses online ticket queues or security measures. Think of it like cutting in line, but on a massive, automated scale. The bill, in Section 2, requires ticket sellers like Ticketmaster and others to put up serious digital defenses – access control systems, measures to enforce purchase limits, and regular security updates. They're also on the hook for making sure any third-party vendors they use are just as secure. If a ticket seller gets hacked or bots break through, they have 30 days to report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Real-World Rollout
For the average concert-goer or sports fan, this means (hopefully!) a fairer shot at getting tickets at face value. Imagine trying to snag tickets for a Taylor Swift concert. Instead of instantly seeing "sold out" and then finding tickets on resale sites for 5x the price, this bill aims to level the playing field. If a farmer in Nebraska wants to take their kids to a monster truck rally, they shouldn't have to compete with sophisticated bots run by scalpers. The FTC is also setting up a website where you can report shady ticket-buying activity, giving consumers a direct line to flag potential violations. The FTC will publish guidance on compliance within one year, and must report to Congress on enforcement actions. (Section 2).
Cash Penalties and Challenges
The bill slaps some serious fines on those who break the rules. We are talking a minimum of $10,000 per day for violations, plus an additional $1,000 per ticket obtained illegally. If they can prove you intentionally used bots or hacked a system? That’s at least $10,000 per ticket. (Section 2). One potential snag is the phrase "reasonable security safeguards." That's a bit vague, and it might lead to some back-and-forth about what exactly counts as "reasonable." Also, while reporting breaches to the FTC is good for transparency, it could become a paperwork headache for smaller ticket sellers.
The Big Picture
This bill is a direct response to the frustration many people feel when trying to buy tickets online. It builds upon the existing BOTS Act, giving it more teeth and expanding it to cover a wider range of sneaky tactics. It also pushes for more information sharing between the FBI, the Department of Justice, and local law enforcement when it comes to cyberattacks on ticketing websites. (Section 2). While the MAIN Event Ticketing Act won't magically make tickets appear, it's a step towards a fairer, more secure online ticket market.