A group consisting of managers, artists and trade bodies has joined together to campaign against online ticket touting.
The so-called FanFair Alliance, which includes the managers of major bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Little Mix, will lobby Government in a bid to tackle touts and protect music fans.
FanFair is urging Government to take four key steps that it says will disrupt touts and help get more face value tickets into the hands of consumers. These steps include enforcement of the Consumer Rights Act in relation to ticket re-selling online being systematically breached, and action against the use of ‘bots’, which FanFair claims is in breach of the Computer Misuse Act.
The group highlighted a recent case whereby 11,695 Black Sabbath tickets were listed for re-sale within minutes of the general sale going live, which it pointed out was “close to capacity of an additional tour date”.
Ian McAndrew, manager of Arctic Monkeys, said: “The aim of the FanFair Alliance is to take a unified stand against rampant profiteering in the secondary ticketing market. I am delighted we are launching with such a groundswell of support and I hope more will come onboard and join us.
“By sharing knowledge, embracing progressive technology and enforcing consumer legislation, we can take significant strides in reducing a multi-million pound touting industry that impacts on music fans and the wider music economy.”
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