Exclusive: ‘Bots’ Used By Touts To Hoover Up Gig Tickets Likely To Be Outlawed In UK
Good news for gig-goers. MTV has learned that the use of bots to harvest tickets in the UK, often used by touts, is likely to be outlawed. The practice is already illegal nationwide in the US.
In simpler terms, when you hurl yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn to buy those coveted Drake tickets, you’ll no longer be competing against computer programs designed to hoover up tickets.
Nigel Adams MP, who has been spearheading the campaign against bots, told MTV that bots are likely to be outlawed "very shortly". Adams couldn’t go into specifics, but he’s “got a pretty good idea that [there's]going to be [an] amendment to outlaw bots in the buying of tickets. So[touts] won't be able to use computer software to buy tickets or to resell.”
Adams told MTV that he got personally involved with the issue last year after he "got done over" trying to buy some Green Day tickets. "I just thought, 'right, I've got to do something about this.’”
Thankfully, Adams looks set to.“I think I'm on the verge of having the law changed," he said."Which is quite positive.
“I was actually in Number 10 yesterday (Monday 6 March) talking about it to officials in Number 10, and they're very keen to follow up on the work I've been doing.
“The Prime Minister is very keen to make sure that the ticketing market works for everyone, not just the privileged few who can afford to pay inflated prices.
“My suggestion is that we do adopt the American model, and I'm hopeful that that will be the case very shortly. We need to be on the side of genuine fans and make sure that the ticket market works for everyone, not just the touts."
This (very welcome) news follows Theresa May promising a crackdown on bots and secondary ticketing sites, like Viagogo, following Nigel Adams' questions about the issue during two seperate Prime Minister's Questions.
The American model, which Adams mentioned, makes"it illegal for anyone to use a bot or other software to obtain more tickets than a specified limit allows or circumvent the posted rules for making a fair purchase. It also makes it illegal to resell any tickets than were bought with the help of a ticket bot. Both the person who employed the software and anyone who has knowledge of how the tickets were obtained can be held liable for the offense,"as Engadget reports.
If you're new to 'bots' and the issues surrounding secondary ticketing sites, here's what you need to do next.
First, read thebrief outlinebelow. Second, stay tuned forMTV's full feature on the issue, including more from Nigel Adams MP, You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi (who has been doing fantastic work on bots and seconday sites), Stormzy and Biffy Clyro, coming soon.
Also, read the FanFairAlliance's excellent FAQs section on ticket touting.
Great stuff on ticket #bots @SundayBrunchC4 by @joshmeatsix. Thanks for the mention! Good news coming soon from govt on #bots #toutsout
— Nigel Adams MP (@selbyandainsty) March 5, 2017
These days, touts aren’t just ‘dodgy’ blokes standing outside venuesyelling “Olly Murs ticket for a tenner,” although that does still happen. In the 21st century, touts have moved online.
Now faceless, ticket touts use sophisticated software, known as bots, to break into websites and call centres to get concert tickets. They then flaunt them on secondary ticketing sites, such as Viagogo, StubHub, Seatwave, Get Me In and more, for far higher prices.
For example, Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Teenage Cancer Trust show was priced at £75 per ticket at face value. All the money is going to help teenagers battling cancer. But touts have bought a tonne of those tickets and are now flogging them for up to £2,300. None of that money will go to Teenage Cancer Trust. It’s scandalous.
Ed Sheeran’s representatives released a statement about secondary ticketing sites, saying that they are "vehemently opposed to the unethical practices that occur in the secondary market".
"We are aware and deeply concerned about the websites in question and have urged all fans not to engage with them in order to avoid being ripped off with higher prices, or, potentially, counterfeit tickets," the statement continued.
Fortunately, politicians and figures within the music industry, including the brilliant FanFairAlliance, are taking a stand.
Stay tuned to MTV.co.ukfor more on this issue, with inputfrom Nigel Adams MP, You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi, Stormzy and Biffy Clyro.
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