H.R.2713 - Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for Event Ticketing Act; MAIN Event Ticketing Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2713, the MAIN Event Ticketing Act, aims to amend the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 to further protect consumers from the use of automated bots to purchase event tickets online. The bill requires ticket issuers to implement security measures and access control systems to prevent circumvention of ticket purchasing limits. It also mandates reporting of circumvention incidents to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and coordination with law enforcement agencies regarding cyberattacks on ticketing websites.
Expected Effects
The MAIN Event Ticketing Act will likely lead to increased security measures on online ticket sales platforms. This will make it more difficult for bots to purchase tickets in bulk. Consumers may have a better chance of purchasing tickets at face value, rather than being forced to buy from resellers at inflated prices.
Potential Benefits
- Fairer Access to Tickets: Reduces the ability of bots to snatch up tickets, giving ordinary consumers a better chance to purchase them.
- Price Stability: Limits the artificial inflation of ticket prices on the secondary market due to bot activity.
- Enhanced Website Security: Requires ticket issuers to implement stronger security measures, protecting consumer data and preventing cyberattacks.
- Increased Transparency: Mandates reporting of circumvention incidents, providing the FTC with data to enforce the law effectively.
- Consumer Complaint Mechanism: Establishes a public website for consumers to report violations, empowering them to take action against unfair practices.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Increased Ticket Prices: Ticket issuers may pass the costs of implementing enhanced security measures onto consumers through higher ticket prices.
- Complexity of Implementation: Smaller ticket issuers may struggle to afford or implement the required security measures.
- Enforcement Challenges: Bots may evolve to circumvent new security measures, requiring ongoing adaptation and enforcement efforts.
- Reporting Burden: The requirement to report circumvention incidents may create an administrative burden for ticket issuers.
- Limited Scope: The Act primarily addresses bot activity and may not fully address other issues in the ticket sales market, such as exclusive deals or service fees.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. Online ticket sales clearly fall under this purview as they involve transactions across state lines. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).