Latest news with #TheConsumerProtectionandBusinessPracticesAct
Express Tribune
29-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ticketmaster settles $6M class-action lawsuit over pricing practices
Listen to article Ticketmaster, the online ticketing giant, has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit, agreeing to compensate approximately one million Canadians who purchased tickets in 2018. The $6 million settlement, finalized on January 15, 2025, at Regina's Court of King's Bench, stems from allegations of deceptive pricing practices, specifically "drip pricing," which involved adding unexpected fees to ticket prices. The lawsuit was initiated by Crystal Watch, who accused Ticketmaster of violating The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act. While Ticketmaster did not admit to any wrongdoing, it opted to settle the matter out of court. Justice Graeme Mitchell, who presided over the case, emphasized the significance of the settlement, stating, "This case has proved to be a legitimate consumer protection lawsuit, which could only have been effectively prosecuted as a class action." Customers who purchased tickets for Canadian events between January 1 and June 30, 2018, may receive up to $45 in credits for future ticket purchases on their Ticketmaster accounts. However, this compensation is only available to those who meet the criteria, and Quebec residents as well as current Ticketmaster employees are excluded. The credit is transferable but can only be redeemed once. Lawyer Tony Merchant, representing the plaintiffs, estimated that up to 100,000 people in Saskatchewan and about one million across Canada could qualify for the credit. With $4.3 million allocated to customer credits after legal fees of $1.725 million are deducted, the settlement reflects the broad impact of Ticketmaster's pricing practices during that period. Consumers will soon receive emails with instructions on claiming their credits. If eligible customers do not receive a notification, they are encouraged to contact the law firm for assistance. This case serves as an important reminder of the need for transparency in ticket pricing, particularly in the event and concert sectors where service fees often complicate the process. Though the settlement may seem small compared to larger corporate disputes, it represents a significant step forward in holding businesses accountable for unfair practices. It underscores the power of class-action lawsuits in ensuring fair treatment for consumers and reinforcing the need for honest business practices, especially in industries like ticket sales that impact millions of people. Overall, the settlement reflects the growing determination of consumers to protect their rights and push for greater transparency in the marketplace. It also demonstrates the essential role of the legal system in ensuring companies adhere to ethical practices, thereby restoring consumer trust.
CBC
28-01-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ticketmaster class-action settlement to reimburse 1M Canadians for deceptive fees
People who bought event tickets through Ticketmaster in 2018 are now eligible for compensation. A $6-million settlement that could see around a million Canadians eligible for a credit with Ticketmaster was finalized last week at Regina's Court of King's Bench. The lawsuit, launched by plaintiff Crystal Watch, took Ticketmaster to court for hiding the prices of ticket fees in 2018. Ticketmaster refused to agree to any wrongdoing on their part, but the case never went to trial and the company agreed to settle. The suit was overseen by Justice Graeme Mitchell. He wrote in the published decision that affected customers are eligible to receive up to $45 in Ticketmaster credit to be used toward future ticket purchases. The credit is transferable, but can only be used once. Watch, who acted as the representative plaintiff, received an honorarium of $25,000, paid from the settlement amount. The class action case claimed that Ticketmaster engaged in unfair "drip pricing," where unnecessary fees outside the regular ticket price were deceptively added to the total price. The lawsuit said this breached The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act. In order to be eligible, customers need to have purchased tickets through Ticketmaster for Canadian events between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2018. Customers in Quebec and any Ticketmaster employees aren't eligible for compensation. Regina lawyer Tony Merchant, whose firm represented the plaintiffs, previously said he believes up to 100,000 people in Saskatchewan and about a million people across Canada could be eligible for a credit. Eligible Ticketmaster users should get an email shortly from Ticketmaster with a link to receive their credit. If a Ticketmaster user who is eligible for credit doesn't receive it, Merchant said they can contact his firm. How the money is being distributed The lawsuit resulted in a $6-million settlement, out of which lawyers will take $1,725,000 in fees due to the case being a class action lawsuit. This will leave Ticketmaster users with $4.3-million to be distributed between people affected. "While this case does not involve a mega-settlement, it has proved to be a legitimate consumer protection lawsuit which could only have been viably prosecuted as a class action," the judge said in a written decision. "Class counsel deserve an economic incentive for pursuing this claim to its successful resolution."
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ticketmaster class-action settlement to reimburse 1M Canadians for deceptive fees
People who bought event tickets through Ticketmaster in 2018 are now eligible for compensation. A $6-million settlement that could see around a million Canadians eligible for a credit with Ticketmaster was finalized last week at Regina's Court of King's Bench. The lawsuit, launched by plaintiff Crystal Watch, took Ticketmaster to court for hiding the prices of ticket fees in 2018. Ticketmaster refused to agree to any wrongdoing on their part, but the case never went to trial and the company agreed to settle. The suit was overseen by Justice Graeme Mitchell. He wrote in the published decision that affected customers are eligible to receive up to $45 in Ticketmaster credit to be used toward future ticket purchases. The credit is transferable, but can only be used once. Watch, who acted as the representative plaintiff, received an honorarium of $25,000, paid from the settlement amount. The settlement was finazlized at Regina's Court of King's Bench on Jan. 15. (Chris Edwards/CBC) The class action case claimed that Ticketmaster engaged in unfair "drip pricing," where unnecessary fees outside the regular ticket price were deceptively added to the total price. The lawsuit said this breached The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act. In order to be eligible, customers need to have purchased tickets through Ticketmaster for Canadian events between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2018. Customers in Quebec and any Ticketmaster employees aren't eligible for compensation. Regina lawyer Tony Merchant, whose firm represented the plaintiffs, previously said he believes up to 100,000 people in Saskatchewan and about a million people across Canada could be eligible for a credit. Eligible Ticketmaster users should get an email shortly from Ticketmaster with a link to receive their credit. If a Ticketmaster user who is eligible for credit doesn't receive it, Merchant said they can contact his firm. How the money is being distributed The lawsuit resulted in a $6-million settlement, out of which lawyers will take $1,725,000 in fees due to the case being a class action lawsuit. This will leave Ticketmaster users with $4.3-million to be distributed between people affected. "While this case does not involve a mega-settlement, it has proved to be a legitimate consumer protection lawsuit which could only have been viably prosecuted as a class action," the judge said in a written decision. "Class counsel deserve an economic incentive for pursuing this claim to its successful resolution."
