LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Consumers from Florida and New York allege a resale program through Ticketmaster is driving up ticket prices.
Victoria Messing and Scott Forschein filed a complaint on behalf of themselves all others similarly situated on Nov. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Ticketmaster LLC and Live Nation Entertainment Inc. alleging violation of California's Unfair Competition Law and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they purchased various live event tickets through Ticketmaster’s verified reseller program. They allege this program lets ticket scalpers sell directly on the Ticketmaster website and gives Ticketmaster a second commission on every verified resale ticket sold. They allege scalpers using the program are in violation of its terms and services that limits the amount of tickets per person per event. They allege this creates a ticket shortage and drives up prices.
The plaintiffs hold Ticketmaster LLC and Live Nation Entertainment Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly are well-aware that the scalpers are using technology to circumvent the transaction ticket limit and allegedly are violating the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek actual, compensatory, and consequential damages; statutory damages and penalties, as allowed by law; restitution and disgorgement; prejudgment and post-judgment interest; attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses; and such other relief the court may deem just and proper. They are represented by David S. Casey Jr., Gayle M. Blatt, Jeremy Robinson, Wendy M. Behan, Angela Jae Chun and Alyssa Williams of Casey Gerry Schenk Francavilla Blatt & Penfield LLP in San Diego, California; and Patrice L. Bishop and Melissa R. Emert of Stull, Stull & Brody in New York.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:18-cv-09386-CJC-GJS