Cornyn-Klobuchar 

Background: 

The current ticketing system hurts fans, communities, sports teams, artists, and venues, many of which are small businesses. Fans are getting boxed out by bots, professional resellers, and big conglomerates when they purchase tickets or need to resell a ticket.

The FANS First Act would help address the following areas of reform in the current ticketing system: 

Ticket Sales Transparency 

• All in pricing so consumers know what they’re getting and where fees are going

• Clear refund information both by the seller and any resale marketplace

• The ticket will say what seat you have—no tickets misrepresenting or confusing purchasers

• Resellers must disclose that they are resellers, not original sales. 

Protect Consumers 

• Prohibits the use of deceptive websites and bad actors pretending to be legitimate

• Bans speculative ticketing which prevents the sale of tickets that don’t exist

• Allows resellers and ticket brokers to deploy "concierge services" to continue selling speculative tickets that take advantage of consumers

• Requires sellers and resellers proof of purchase must be provided 24 hours after purchase

• Sellers must provide full refund if the event is canceled 

Enforcement 

• Enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and State Attorneys General by imposing civil penalties 

• Includes GAO study to assess the prevalence of fraudulent ticketing practices 

• Includes Senators Blackburn and Lujan’s MAIN Event Ticketing Act

• Creates reporting requirements whereby online ticket sellers have to report successful bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

• Creates a complaint database so consumers can also share their experiences with the FTC, which in turn is required to share the information with state attorneys general

• Enacts data security requirements for online ticket sellers and requires the sharing of information between the FTC and law enforcement 

• Requires a report to Congress on BOTS enforcement 

Fans First is endorsed by the Fix the Tix Coalition, NIVA, Seattle Theatre Group, Recording Academy, RIAA, National Independent Talent Organization, Eventbrite, Performing Arts Alliance, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, IAVM, Songwriters of North America, Americans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Future of Music Coalition, Artists Rights Alliance, MMF-US, SAG-AFTRA and APAP.