One Direction’s managers are among the campaigners calling for action to combat ticket touts
Senior figures from the world of sport and entertainment have issued a call for new controls on websites selling event tickets.
They want resale websites to be required to publish the names of ticket sellers and the tickets’ face value.
The call comes in a letter to the Independent on Sunday signed by heads of sporting and cultural bodies and entertainers’ management companies.
MPs will debate the rules on Monday; ministers prefer a voluntary approach.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has previously said a change in the law would be unnecessary.
Secondary ticketing sites act as marketplaces that allow sellers to charge what they like for concerts, plays and sports events, and often earn a commission from selling on the tickets.
When tickets for a popular event go on sale, they may be snapped up in bulk either manually or using automated software in order to sell them on at a profit.
‘Put fans first’
The letter in the Independent on Sunday warns that the way the secondary ticketing market currently operates can seriously undermine efforts to ensure fair prices for event-goers.
“It’s high time the government stopped sticking up for secondary platforms, and decided to put fans first,” the letter continues.
Some fans are concerned about access to fairly priced tickets for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Individuals and organisations behind the letter include the England & Wales Cricket Board, Lawn Tennis Association and Rugby Football Union; the UK Theatre organisation; and managers of the bands Iron Maiden, Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and One Direction.
They want ministers to give their backing to a set of measures requiring secondary ticketing platforms to publish:
the name of the seller and …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
