The live entertainment industry should take note that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has finalized its Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees aimed at eliminating deceptive pricing practices in the live-event ticketing...more
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, 16 C.F.R. Part 464, is effective as of May 12, 2025. According to the FTC’s recent press release, the Rule “prohibits bait-and-switch pricing and other...more
The president recently issued an executive order (Order), targeting allegedly unfair pricing practices such as “scalping” and “junk fees” in live entertainment ticketing. The Order prioritizes enforcement of price...more
On March 31, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a new Executive Order (EO), “Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market,” taking aim at certain practices in the live entertainment ticket resale market. The...more
Plaintiffs’ lawyers are capitalizing on ticket sale and resale laws enacted in a handful of states to file class action lawsuits against entertainment venues and ticket resellers that are allegedly “sneaking” in fees for...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized its long-anticipated Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (Final Rule), targeting hidden mandatory fees and ensuring transparent pricing disclosures to consumers. Unlike the Notice...more
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a long-anticipated final Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (the Rule), colloquially known as the “Junk Fees” Rule, targeting mandatory hidden fees and ensuring transparent pricing...more
On July 29, the attorney general (AG) for Washington, D.C. sued StubHub, Inc. (StubHub) for violations of the district’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act. The complaint accuses StubHub of employing “dark patterns,”...more
On June 30, 2024, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed an action against an online ticket exchange and resale website alleging violations of the District of Columbia’s Consumer...more
On October 11, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for a new “Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees” — popularly referred to as the “junk fee” rule. The new rule, which will be...more
In Oberstein v. Live Nation Ent. Inc. No. 21-56200 (9th Cir. Feb. 13, 2023), the Ninth Circuit addressed the question of whether the arbitration and class action waiver clauses on Ticketmaster’s and Live Nation’s websites...more
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill last month that will demand greater transparency from establishments that sell tickets for live events. The new law is set to take effect on August 29, 2022, and will ban hidden fees...more
Piling on after undercover journalists published exposés on alleged misconduct involving Ticketmaster's TradeDesk reseller program, consumers have filed a wave of class actions against Ticketmaster, claiming that the company...more
On January 25, 2018, the Competition Bureau (Bureau) filed an application with the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) against Ticketmaster, its parent company Live Nation, and certain other Live Nation subsidiaries...more
With summer concerts and music festivals in full swing, many fans will be surprised to find $145 face value tickets reselling online for $3,000 to $11,000....more
Over the last few years, state lawmakers and enforcement agencies have focused increasingly on protecting consumers who purchase tickets to sports and entertainment events. Private actions also have targeted ticket sellers’...more