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More than 250 recording artists have signed a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee in support of a bill advocating for transparency in ticket sales and protecting consumers from bots.
Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews, Cyndi Lauper, Lorde, Sia, Train, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Graham Nash, Becky G and Chappell Roan are among the prominent signatories urging Congress to pass the Fans First Act (S. 3457). The bill, introduced by Senators Cornyn, Klobuchar, Blackburn, Welch, Wicker, and Lujan, and the bipartisan TICKET Act (HR 3950), sponsored by Representatives Bilirakis, Schakowsky, and Armstrong, which passed the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the Chamber. , discuss the live event ticketing system. The letter asserts that current practices expose fans and artists to the predatory practices of bad actors in the secondary ticketing market.
“It is clear that all participants in the live events ecosystem, from artists to concert venues to fans, are demanding comprehensive ticketing reform and consumer protection from predatory ticket resale practices that have profoundly affected live performance in the United States,” said Stephen Parker. , executive director of the National Independent Venue Association. “The Fix the Tix Coalition is proud to lead this critical call to action from artists whose fans experience the injustices of the resale market at every show. And we hope their message resonates with Congress, as officials elected to protect their constituents, and as Americans who simply love music. The time has come for a comprehensive reform of ticketing.
The full letter delivered to Chair Cantwell and Ranking Member Cruz of the Senate Commerce Committee is available here. The letter was organized by the Fix The Tix Coalition, a broad movement led by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and Eventbrite. They join more than 30 organizations and professionals in the live events industry to collectively advocate for better and equitable ticketing practices.
The invoice details:
Transparency of ticket sales:
- Requires full disclosure of ticket costs, including fees, at the initial selection stage.
- Requires a clear breakdown of ticket costs and purchase conditions.
- Specifies seat details to avoid misrepresentation.
- Ensures sellers identify if they are the original seller.
Consumer protection:
- Strengthens enforcement of the BOTS law against the use of robots.
- Requires proof of purchase from consumers within 24 hours.
- Requires full refund in case of event cancellation.
- Launches GAO study for further market analysis.
Stopping Bad Actors:
- Imposes civil penalties on illegal dealers.
- Creates a dedicated complaint reporting website for fans.
- Authorizes the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the law.
- Prohibits speculative notes.
- Prevents deceptive websites and fraudulent sellers.
- Requires ticketing companies to report violations of the BOTS Act to the FTC.
- Requires the FBI to share information on traffic violation violations.
More information about Fix the Tix can be found at www.fixthetix.org.
