Alabama. Connecticut. Florida. Maryland. Massachusetts. Michigan. Missouri. New York. Tennessee. Washington, DC.
eBay Government Relations has worked around the country to educate state and federal policy makers about StubHub, the primary and secondary ticket markets, and those policies – both good and bad – that impact StubHub and our fans.
The first half of 2016 has been successful in many ways, but there is still tremendous work to do in an effort to get decision makers to take action. Our education and advocacy efforts remain in full swing, with particular focus on:
- Deregulation: StubHub is working to update the law in Massachusetts and Michigan to make the resale of tickets at the market rate legal.
- Securing a Free and Open Ticket Market: StubHub worked with the State Legislatures of Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, and New York to educate decision makers and promote policies that ensure consumer protections and choice in the ticket market. Notably, New York State’s ticketing statute that requires ticket issuers to give fans a choice to buy transferable tickets was renewed for a 6th year.
- Protecting Fans: In addition to promoting policy ideas, StubHub worked with policy makers in Illinois and Tennessee to educate them, and ultimately stop legislative proposals, that had a potentially negative impact on fans. Work continues to oppose legislative proposals in New York that may have unintended consequences for StubHub users.
- Enforcement Actions: Attorneys General are in the best position to take action against practices and ticket policies they deem anti-consumer or anti-competitive. eBay continues to engage key Generals from across the country to encourage action where its warranted.
Our efforts go well beyond the state capitals and into Washington, DC as well. Two ticket-related pieces of legislation were considered by the House Energy and Commerce on May 24th. The bills focus on the use of software to unfairly procure tickets and transparency in the primary and secondary market. The eBay Government Relations team is working closely with stakeholders as this legislation progresses.