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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Taylor Swift' bills aimed at beating back ticketing bots could receive vote in Michigan
When it comes to the online bots that scooped up Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets — making for a cruel summer for some in 2023 — the Michigan House of Representatives isn't ready to shake it off. The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony May 21 on House Bills 4262 and 4263, dubbed the "Taylor Swift" bills, aimed at beating back the bots. The legislation would ban the use of bots to skirt limits on ticket purchases or circumvent waiting periods and online queues. The legislation would empower the Attorney General's Office to investigate potential violations. Bill sponsor state Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, told the Michigan House Judiciary Committee during a May 21 hearing that many trying to attend a concert or sports event have confronted a sold-out show or game with only tickets available on the resale market at "extreme mark-ups." Some scalpers will use bots to purchase an excessive number of tickets to resell the tickets at a price much higher than the original one. "This harms the entertainment industry and harms consumers by creating an unnecessary financial barrier," McFall said. State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford — another bill sponsor — said that while federal law already outlaws ticketing bots, a state law would give Michigan's attorney general new authority to take action. Harris said a member of his staff and Taylor Swift fan prepared testimony for him using lyrics from the pop star's songs. But he said he couldn't bring himself to read it, even as he acknowledged having attended a Swift concert with his family. While her music didn't feature prominently in the committee hearing, it has fueled a flurry of bills in state Legislatures across the U.S. to beat back the bots. When ticket sales for Taylor Swift's concerts opened, bots scooped up tickets faster than her real life fans could, according to Ticketmaster. During the 2024 legislative session, at least 20 states and Puerto Rico saw legislation introduced on event ticket sales, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Under the Michigan bills, violators who circumvent or disable the online ticket platform technology to bulk buy tickets or jump in front of fans to do so would be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for each ticket purchased. Lawmakers in the Michigan House passed similar bills in the previous legislative session but the Michigan Senate didn't take them up. Under the 2016 federal Better Online Ticket Sales or BOTS Act, scalpers cannot use technology to circumvent ticket purchase limits or use a false identity to buy tickets. But it wasn't until years later that the Federal Trade Commission brought its first case under the BOTS Act in 2021. Following his return to the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for vigorous enforcement of the BOTS Act. Federal lawmakers have also proposed additional policies to tackle the current ticketing system. Chamber of Progress, which describes itself as a center-left tech industry policy organization, published a report in 2024 saying the entertainment company Live Nation "has executed a quiet but sweeping campaign in state legislatures to maintain its monopoly position by restricting the resale market." The report calls out lobbying by Live Nation for anti-bot laws it says appears aimed at consumer protection but curtails resale competition. "Bots are a big reason the ticket market feels unfair and confusing for fans. But if lawmakers crack down too broadly, they risk hurting legitimate resellers — and that could end up making consumers worse off," the report's author Aden Kizkias wrote in an email. The report doesn't specifically analyze the Michigan bills. Live Nation did not respond to an emailed request for comment. Michigan Politics: Proposed new auto loan tax deduction could help buyers get break on interest Resale company StubHub is one of Chamber of Progress' corporate partners. The organization notes that its partners do not have a final say on its policy positions. StubHub has a neutral position on the Michigan bills, while Live Nation supports them. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster in 2024, alleging the entertainment company is a monopoly. Media representatives for the Attorney General's Office did not respond to a request for comment, but McFall said lawmakers have been working with the office on the legislation. The bills may soon head to the House floor for a vote. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Taylor Swift' anti-bot bills in Michigan see action in state House
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Reported ICE Raids at His Nashville Bar, Kid Rock Says He Supports Deportations ‘No Matter Where They Are'
After reports last week of ICE raids at Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse in Nashville, the rocker took to social media to respond to the story and double down on his support for President Trump's deportation of undocumented immigrants. Responding to a Daily Mail US post on X about how his Nashville bar was the 'next target for Trump's sweeping ICE raids,' Rock started by taking issue with the story using his name for 'click bait.' More from Billboard President Trump Signs Executive Order to Crack Down on Ticket Scalpers, Enforce BOTS Act Spring Has Officially Sprung at Coach Outlet - Here's How to Shop The Brand's Colorful New Handbag Styles The Best Digital Cameras Under $100 to Capture Memories During Music Festivals and Concerts 'Clearly I do not have anything to do with day to day operations at my Honky Tonk – but it's good click bait, I get it,' Rock wrote on X. 'That being said I 100% support getting illegal criminals out of our country no matter where they are. I also like President Trump want to speed up the process of getting GREAT immigrants into our country – LEGALLY! It's that simple folks. But the below is not a juicy enough headline to get clicks and views.. in this day and age the truth often is not.' Last week, The Tennessean reported that the New Orleans field office for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) had announced a weeklong operation that resulted in the arrest of nearly 200 immigrants in Nashville. On May 14, The Nashville Scene reported that the kitchens at Kid Rock's Honky Tonk and other bars co-owned by Nashville businessman Steve Smith had closed early to avoid ICE raids. Kid Rock has been one of Trump's most vocal supporters over both of his terms as U.S. president, most recently joining him in the Oval Office on March 31 for the signing of an executive order that aims to crack down on scalpers who illegally obtain high-priced concert tickets for resale. During the signing, Rock thanked the president for the order, adding that it's a first step in stopping bots that 'get all the good tickets for your favorite shows they want to go to, and they relist them, sometimes for a 400 to 500% markup.' Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse opened on Broadway in Nashville back in October 2018. Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Feds seek info on ‘unfair,' ‘anticompetitive' practices in live entertainment industry
Business Feds seek info on 'unfair,' 'anticompetitive' practices in live entertainment industry May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. government seeks information from Americans about practices or conduct deemed "anticompetitive" in the entertainment industry, officials announced Wednesday in a public inquiry. The U.S. Justice Department will "continue to closely examine this market and look for opportunities where vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws can lead to increased competition that makes tickets more affordable for fans while offering fairer compensation for artists," U.S. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the department's Antitrust Division said in a release. DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission launched its joint inquiry to identify "unfair and anticompetitive" practices, conduct or ticket marketing in the live concert and entertainment industry as part of an executive order signed March 31 by U.S. President Donald Trump that targeted unfair practices in the live entertainment market. Trump's order, signed during an Oval Office event with musician Kid Rock, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FTC chair to "ensure that competition laws are appropriately enforced" in the concert and entertainment industry. It further directs the FTC to "rigorously enforce" the 2016 Obama-era Better Online Tickets Sales Act, and also directed Bondi, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and the FTC chair to identify specific legislative or regulatory solutions. The BOTS Act allows the FTC to go against individuals and companies utilizing bots to buy concert tickets in bulk and resell them, and eliminated the practice of excess ticket scalping that raises prices for sporting events or theater shows. "Many Americans feel like they are being priced out of live entertainment by scalpers, bots and other unfair and deceptive practices," FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the federal agencies invited U.S. citizens to submit public comment and other information on "harmful practices" and potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers, which officials say will be used to ready a report for the White House with listed recommendations. Officials pointed to U.S. consumers, artists, small businesses, trade groups, industry analysts as scores of other entities invited to give feedback to authorities as affected groups by perceived anticompetitive practices in the industry. The federal government, along with 40 state and district attorneys general, is currently litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit brought on in 2024 againstLive Nation Entertainment's subsidiary Ticketmaster for alleged "monopolization" and other "unlawful conduct" that allegedly thwarted competition in markets across America's live entertainment markets. The public, meanwhile, will have 60 days to submit comments no later than July 6. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Feds seek info on 'unfair,' 'anticompetitive' practices in live entertainment industry
May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. government seeks information from Americans about practices or conduct deemed "anticompetitive" in the entertainment industry, officials announced Wednesday in a public inquiry. The U.S. Justice Department will "continue to closely examine this market and look for opportunities where vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws can lead to increased competition that makes tickets more affordable for fans while offering fairer compensation for artists," U.S. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the department's Antitrust Division said in a release. DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission launched its joint inquiry to identify "unfair and anticompetitive" practices, conduct or ticket marketing in the live concert and entertainment industry as part of an executive order signed March 31 by U.S. President Donald Trump that targeted unfair practices in the live entertainment market. Trump's order, signed during an Oval Office event with musician Kid Rock, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FTC chair to "ensure that competition laws are appropriately enforced" in the concert and entertainment industry. It further directs the FTC to "rigorously enforce" the 2016 Obama-era Better Online Tickets Sales Act, and also directed Bondi, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and the FTC chair to identify specific legislative or regulatory solutions. Entertainer Kid Rock (L) looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order on March 31 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Trump's order directed the Federal Trade Commission to work with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure competition laws are enforced in the concert and entertainment industry, and pushes state consumer protection authorities on enforcement. File Photo by Al Drago/UPI The BOTS Act allows the FTC to go against individuals and companies utilizing bots to buy concert tickets in bulk and resell them, and eliminated the practice of excess ticket scalping that raises prices for sporting events or theater shows. "Many Americans feel like they are being priced out of live entertainment by scalpers, bots and other unfair and deceptive practices," FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the federal agencies invited U.S. citizens to submit public comment and other information on "harmful practices" and potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers, which officials say will be used to ready a report for the White House with listed recommendations. Officials pointed to U.S. consumers, artists, small businesses, trade groups, industry analysts as scores of other entities invited to give feedback to authorities as affected groups by perceived anticompetitive practices in the industry. The federal government, along with 40 state and district attorneys general, is currently litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit brought on in 2024 against Live Nation Entertainment's subsidiary Ticketmaster for alleged "monopolization" and other "unlawful conduct" that allegedly thwarted competition in markets across America's live entertainment markets. The public, meanwhile, will have 60 days to submit comments no later than July 6.
Axios
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Lawmakers hope to crack down on ticket-buying bots
Federal lawmakers are trying to make it harder for bots to cut in line to buy tickets to the biggest events in entertainment. Why it matters: If passed, the bill's authors say, it'll be easier for you to snag those Beyoncé or Taylor Swift tickets next time they're in town. The latest: Democratic Rep. Troy Carter is co-sponsoring new legislation aimed at protecting consumers from online scams and preventing bots from making online ticket purchases. If passed, the bill would add teeth to 2016 legislation that sought to prevent scalpers from using software to buy tickets at high volumes. Between the lines: The bill was originally introduced in the Senate earlier this year by Sen. Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). It is a follow-up to Blackburn's Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, which was signed into law in 2016. That legislation gave the Federal Trade Commission a way to crack down on scalpers who use bots. But eight years after the act was passed, the FTC had only used it once. The new legislation would require online ticket sellers like Ticketmaster to notify the FTC about successful bot attacks, like the ones infamous for targeting Swift's "The Eras Tour." It would also create a new consumer complaint database and strengthen security requirements for online platforms. The FTC would also be required to update Congress about BOTS Act enforcement. Companies that violate the new law could face fines of up to $10,000 per day. The big picture: The bill has bipartisan support, along with endorsements from big music industry players like the Recording Academy and Live Nation.
