Ticketmaster must face FTC lawsuit over fake-account ticket scalping
An FTC lawsuit against Ticketmaster can go forward over fake accounts used to bypass ticket purchase limits.
A judge let the FTC's lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation go ahead. The FTC says Ticketmaster let ticket brokers create fake accounts to bypass purchase limits.
An internal email shows a senior executive said they ignore this as policy. Brokers then resold tickets on Ticketmaster's own secondary market.
This created billions in resale fees. Another claim about drip pricing (hidden fees shown only at checkout) was also allowed to go ahead.
Ticketmaster denies wrongdoing and says it fights bots and scalpers. The case now moves to the discovery phase.
Evidence will be gathered before trial.
- Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong
- Judge's name
- September 28
- Ruling date
- Better Online Ticket Sales Act
- Law cited
- Ticketmaster and Live Nation
- Defendant companies
Why it mattersIf Ticketmaster profited knowingly from scalped tickets, it raises questions. Who truly controls ticket pricing? Are fans really protected?
AustraliaNo direct Australian legal action yet, but if Ticketmaster is required to limit resale volumes in US operations, Australian concert-goers may see effects on ticket availability and pricing.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
