Moran to Hold Hearing on “Ticket Bots” Legislation
Big 12 Commissioner, Producer of “Hamilton,” and Ticket Vendors to Testify
September 8, 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security, will convene a subcommittee hearing titled “Examining the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016” on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.
“Scalpers have long been driving up ticket prices and harming consumers, but their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Sen. Moran. “It’s hard enough to get tickets to high-profile events without the added struggle of having to battle bots online. My legislation seeks to put an end to this practice, and I plan to chair a hearing on this important legislation next week as we work to protect consumers from fraud and level the playing field for all Americans.”
The hearing will examine the growth of “ticket bot” software that circumvents fair access to concert, theater, and sporting event tickets for consumers. These bots allow ticket scalpers to purchase mass quantities of tickets for resale through third-party brokers at a much higher price to consumers. Witnesses have been asked to testify on the impact of ticket bots on consumers, and on pending legislation before the Commerce Committee that would prohibit the use of ticket bots.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner, Big 12 Conference
• Mr. Jeffrey Seller, Producer, “Hamilton”
• Mr. Tod Cohen, General Counsel, Stubhub
• Mr. Jeremy Liegl, Associate General Counsel, Pandora and Ticketfly
* Witness list subject to change
Hearing Details:
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
2:30 p.m. ET
Subcommittee Hearing
Senate Russell Building 253
Witness testimony, opening statements, and a livestream will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.
“Scalpers have long been driving up ticket prices and harming consumers, but their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Sen. Moran. “It’s hard enough to get tickets to high-profile events without the added struggle of having to battle bots online. My legislation seeks to put an end to this practice, and I plan to chair a hearing on this important legislation next week as we work to protect consumers from fraud and level the playing field for all Americans.”
The hearing will examine the growth of “ticket bot” software that circumvents fair access to concert, theater, and sporting event tickets for consumers. These bots allow ticket scalpers to purchase mass quantities of tickets for resale through third-party brokers at a much higher price to consumers. Witnesses have been asked to testify on the impact of ticket bots on consumers, and on pending legislation before the Commerce Committee that would prohibit the use of ticket bots.
Witnesses:
• Mr. Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner, Big 12 Conference
• Mr. Jeffrey Seller, Producer, “Hamilton”
• Mr. Tod Cohen, General Counsel, Stubhub
• Mr. Jeremy Liegl, Associate General Counsel, Pandora and Ticketfly
* Witness list subject to change
Hearing Details:
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
2:30 p.m. ET
Subcommittee Hearing
Senate Russell Building 253
Witness testimony, opening statements, and a livestream will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.
