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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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COMMERCE CHAIR ATKINS TO STOP TICKET BULLIES IN THEIR TRACKS
ST. PAUL – The recent furor over inflated ticket prices for the Miley Cyrus concert at the Target Center this Sunday grabbed the attention of Chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Representative Joe Atkins several weeks ago. Certain software has allowed professional ticket buyers to buy up large quantities of tickets so quickly that ticket supplies for popular concerts, like Hannah Montana, are now being sold out in just minutes. Rep. Atkins wants to make such ticket "bullying" practices a crime in Minnesota.
"There are a lot of kids in this state getting aced-out by what has really become the 21st Century's version of a bully," said Atkins. "These ticket bullies are cutting in line to pick up all the good tickets before legitimate buyers can get them. It's time we put an end to this unfair consumer practice in Minnesota."
In response to these events, Rep. Atkins has crafted legislation that would regulate ticket resale practices that are responsible for buying up tickets online in mass quantities and reselling them for exorbitant prices. Specifically, the bill would make it a misdemeanor for people using any automated device to purchase, within a twenty-four hour period, more than eight tickets to an event. Atkins would also make it a gross misdemeanor for anyone intentionally using an automated device to impede another person who is seeking to purchase tickets to an event.
"It's obvious that the purchase of tickets for high-profile events in Minnesota has become extremely unfair," said Atkins. "When it gets to the point that people are ripping off kids and their parents for trying to see their favorite Disney idol in concert, something needs to be done. Frankly, it's time for the state to step in and return fairness to the system."
Atkins' proposal comes on the heels of Ticketmaster's recently filed suit in a US Federal District Court in Los Angeles against RMG Technologies – a software company that makes and sells automated software for the rapid purchasing of tickets online. The judge decided this week in favor of Ticketmaster.
Atkins plans to move forward with his legislation when session reconvenes in February.
"No kid in this state should have to pay hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to crooked ticket bullies just to see Hannah Montana in concert," said Atkins. "I’m going to work with my colleagues in the legislature to prevent this from happening again in Minnesota."
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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