UK’s Digital Economy Bill becomes law, harsh penalties for scalpers

In the wake of the snap election being called, UK politicians quickly moved to pass the Digital Economy Bill into law.

It provided severe penalties to combat large-scale ticket scalping – which one music association described as “sensible and pragmatic measures” after the “Government listened to the concerns of artists and fans”.

Resale platforms must get permission from promoters and events organisers to resell bulk tickets.

They must also provide the unique ticket reference and booking number to potential buyers – a move for which the music industry has long been campaigning.

Scalpers who use bots or other software to buy tickets now face unlimited fines, in a move aimed to wipe out profits from reselling. The Government has the power to create a new criminal offence for bot users.

Culture Minister Matt Hancock expressed his delight with the passing of the new law.

“This legislation will help build a more connected and stronger economy,” he said in a statement.

“The Act will enable major improvements in broadband rollout, better support for consumers, better protection for children on the internet, and further transformation of government services.”

The music industry also responded with delight but warned that it would mean nothing if it was not followed up with strong enforcement.

Attempts by Adele and Ed Sheeran to protect fans from scalpers on their most recent tours were quickly bypassed by the touts. Tickets went on sale for between seven to ten times their face value.

In 2005, there were 4000 complaints in greater London alone. But only 32 sites were suspended as a result.

Another problem is that many of the secondary sites operating in the UK are registered overseas, usually in Europe. Police have said they face little cooperation from such sites.

The FanFair Alliance, set up some years ago by various sectors of the music industry to battle scalpers, said, “On top of Government measures to criminalise the bulk-buying of tickets, this relatively minor amendment to the Consumer Rights Act, for a ‘unique ticket number’ to be displayed when a ticket is listed for resale, should greatly increase transparency in the so-called secondary ticketing market.

“If enforced, it will give users some assurances that the ticket they are buying actually exists, as well as disrupting the practices of hardcore touts that thrive on sites like Viagogo, StubHub, Get Me In! and Seatwave.”

Annabella Coldrick, CEO of the Music Managers Forum, echoed these sentiments.

“Industrial-scale ticket touting is a real blight on the UK’s live music scene, and a cause of growing concern for managers and artists alike.

“Members of the MMF were instrumental in setting up the FanFair Alliance to campaign for a fairer and more transparent resale market, and so we are delighted that Government has listened to the concerns of artists and fans and moved forward with these sensible and pragmatic measures.

“We now need UK consumer law to be properly enforced. With that in place there will be a real opportunity to create a sustainable ticketing market that prioritises the needs of fans above the greed of touts.”