OREANDA-NEWS. The government of UK has today (26 May 2016) published an independent report into the consumer protection measures concerning online secondary ticketing facilities.

Professor Michael Waterson, economics professor at Warwick University, led the independent review to assess consumer protection measures that apply to the online resale of tickets for events in the UK – including music, sporting and other cultural and recreational events. It aimed to identify any problems for consumers and potential ways to address them.

Professor Waterson said:

I approached this review without preconceptions. In pursuing it, I attempted to engage widely, to develop an analytical understanding of the ticketing industry as a whole, and to provide practical recommendations for change where necessary.

Baroness Neville Rolfe said:

I would like to thank Professor Waterson for completing this review. His work has provided significant insights into the ticketing market. This is a topic that attracts great interest and a wide range of views, so an independent voice is very welcome. The government will respond to this report in due course.

Professor Waterson found there was work to be done and made a number of recommendations for all concerned with ticketing and the resale of tickets including both the primary and secondary markets.

His recommendations include a challenge to secondary ticketing platforms to ensure sellers on their platforms fully observe the rules set out in the Consumer Rights Act 2015 – this means providing information such as the face value of the ticket, the exact seat location, and any restrictions on the user of the ticket (e.g. age). Where necessary, enforcement action should be undertaken.

Professor Waterson also recommends that secondary platforms play a role in identifying traders and ensuring their details are provided to consumers.

A further recommendation is that primary ticket vendors should guard against the possibility of mass purchase by individuals (who have no intention of attending the event) in breach of contractual terms including by using ‘bots’. This deprives ordinary consumers of the chance to acquire tickets at the price originally established by the event organiser.

He also recommends that primary market operators need to increase transparency and come together to standardise the way in which information on available ticket outlets and the pricing structure is made available to the public.

Professor Waterson also believes more should be done to inform consumers seeking tickets about how the market operates across both primary and secondary sellers.

The government will be responding to the report in due course.