Ticket sellers: equitable ticket buying process: use or sale of services.
By amending Section 22505.5 of the Business and Professions Code, AB 1032 expands the scope of what constitutes illegal activity in relation to ticket sales. It establishes that not only is it unlawful to use or sell software that undermines security measures, but it also prohibits services that facilitate such actions. This change aims to create a safer, more equitable environment for individuals purchasing tickets for events, thus directly impacting consumer protections against unfair practices in ticket sales. The changes introduced will also necessitate that ticket sellers adhere to stricter regulatory measures to prevent circumventing these controls, thereby possibly restructuring their business practices.
Assembly Bill No. 1032, introduced by Assemblymember Quirk, aims to enhance the regulations surrounding ticket sales in California by clarifying and expanding the existing laws. The bill specifically addresses the use or sale of software that circumvents security measures intended to maintain an equitable ticket buying process. This legislation seeks to protect event attendees by ensuring that ticket purchasing processes are fair, thus stopping the exploitation of loopholes that allow individuals or organizations to cheat the system. By defining 'event attendees' explicitly as those intending to purchase tickets for their own use, the bill prevents ticket sellers from being able to manipulate the purchasing system.
The sentiment surrounding AB 1032 appears to be supportive among consumer rights advocates who view it as a necessary step towards ensuring fairness in ticket sales. Supporters argue that the bill is essential for protecting the interests of genuine event attendees, while critics may express concerns regarding the implications for businesses involved in the ticketing industry, particularly around enforcement and compliance requirements. Nonetheless, the prevailing view appears to favor the consumer protection aspect of the legislation.
A notable point of contention arises from the bill's establishment of new legal definitions and the expansion of existing penalties against those who intentionally facilitate software that undermines ticket purchasing security measures. Critics might argue it could lead to unintended consequences for legitimate businesses that operate in the ticketing space, potentially placing them at risk of penalties while trying to navigate these new regulations. Furthermore, by introducing the concept of a local program without requiring state reimbursement for potential costs imposed on local agencies, there may be concerns regarding the economic burden placed on local entities tasked with enforcement.