Santa Fe Opera General Director Robert K. Meya expressed support for the proposed Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act co-sponsored by U.S. Sen Ben Ray Luján.
As state lawmakers consider expanding New Mexico’s law against ticket scalping to include nonprofit arts organization, a proposed federal law also would take aim at price-gouging.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have re-introduced the Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act, which increases enforcement of the 2016 Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, barring ticket scalpers from using software to purchase large volumes of tickets.
A news release from Luján’s office includes supportive remarks for the law from New Mexico event officials, such as Santa Fe Opera General Director Robert K. Meya, who said the bill “addresses critical challenges, ensuring that access to live performances remains fair and equitable to all audiences.” The Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment and the National Independent Venue Association also have endorsed the legislation, Luján’s office said.
Specifically, the law would create reporting requirements for online ticket sellers to report successful bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission; create a complaint database for consumers; create data security requirements for online ticket sellers; and require a report to Congress on enforcement of the BOTS Act.
“Far too many Americans face excessive price-gouging for tickets from online bots and resellers, and I am committed to ensure Americans can enjoy live entertainment without the fear of being scammed,” Luján said in a statement. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn in reintroducing our MAIN Event Ticketing Act which will strengthen protections for consumers and artists from scammers. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation signed into law.”