WASHINGTON D.C. (CelebrityAccess) — The U.S. Senate has passed a resume that would impose fines on would-be scalpers who use automated ticket purchasing software, known as bots, to scoop up event tickets for resale on the secondary market.
Senate Bill 3183, the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016, would define the use of bot software as an "unfair and deceptive practice" under the Federal Trade Commission Act and allows the FTC to pursue those cases.
The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through the circumvention of systems designed to limit purchases.
The measure was passed by the Senate on Wednesday afternoon by a voice vote but now needs to be reconciled with a similar measure tat the House of Representatives passed in September.
In a statement released after the passage, the Broadway League, the official trade association for Broadway, praised the passage of the bill.
"The Broadway League applauds Senator Schumer's leadership and for making the 'BOTS Act' happen in such a timely manner. Theatergoers from around the world are being defrauded by excessive mark-ups on tickets to their favorite shows, and we are pleased this legislation will give law enforcement and the Broadway community the ability to take steps to prevent this situation from affecting our patrons," the group's president Charlotte St. Martin said. – Staff Writers
