Fair Ticketing Alliance launches tough new Code of Practice to protect consumers and raise industry standards
- New Code prohibits Members from listing tickets on exchange platforms that will not comply fully with CMA regulations
- Code developed by the Board of the Fair Ticketing Alliance in conjunction with respected law firm, Farrers & Co LLP
- Code to form push towards getting agreement on a licensing system for responsible traders including the right to buy and re-sell tickets commercially
[LONDON, 15 June 2018]The Fair Ticketing Alliance (FTA) today launches a tough, new industry Code of Practice to build greater trust with live entertainment and music fans and help raise the ethical standards of the secondary ticketing sector. The new Code, developed over time by the Board of the FTA and Farrers & Co LLP, strengthens ethical practices in the sector and goes far beyond what is required by law. The move comes just two months after the launch of the FTA and on the back of growing momentum for the Alliance.
Fair Ticketing Association chairman, Stephen Lee said:
“We strongly believe there is a rightful place for secondary ticketing within the whole ticketing eco-system. The secondary market is thriving as consumers value the choice, convenience and guarantees that it offers which are simply not available in the primary market. But we know we have to behave responsibly to build consumer trust in our businesses, weed out any bad apples and generate repeat custom from fans.
“We’re music lovers as much as anyone else. We just want to provide a great service to other live entertainment fans and do the right thing by them. That’s why we have produced our industry-leading Code of Practice, which goes above and beyond what is required by law.
“All our Members have signed up to the provisions in this tough new Code and we encourage everyone else in the sector to follow suit. This includes refraining from using any secondary exchange platforms that are not making moves to fully comply with CMA regulations.”
The new Fair Ticketing Alliance Code of Practice goes significantly further than any other initiatives in the sector including:
- FTA members must be committed to adhering to all parts of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) April 2018 secondary ticketing marketplace undertakings, including providing for publication of business seller information. FTA members also would not list on any reseller sites which do not provide facility for sellers to provide all relevant information related to this compliancy.
- FTA members must not buy or sell tickets for events where all the proceeds from the event go to charity.
- FTA members must not purchase tickets for any promoter/artist/venue restricted events, the restrictions for which meet CMA criteria as not being unfair.
The full Fair Ticketing Alliance Code of Practice can be found on our website: https://fairticketing.co.uk/code-of-practice/
The Fair Ticketing Alliance was established to campaign for a fair, trustworthy and flexible ticket market that works for all live entertainment fans. It was set up by a group of responsible UK ticket traders representing a cross section of the industry. The campaign aims to lobby for changes in UK law to give responsible, secondary operators the right to buy and re-sell tickets whilst protecting consumer interests.
Mr Lee concluded:
“Our aim is to work with government, regulators and others to create a vibrant, but safe, marketplace for ourselves and fans alike. Ultimately, we want to see the introduction of a licensing system for commercial re-sellers that gives approved vendors the right to buy and re-sell tickets whilst protecting consumers through our strong Code of Practice.
“This is the first step of our journey. We look forward to working with more and more people who share our objective so we can turn it into reality.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
More information about the Fair Ticketing Alliance can be found on its website: www.fairticketing.co.ukor by following us on Twitter: @FairTicketing
Media contact:
Pete Bowyer
07740 913886