Court Victory Helps Ticketmaster Fight Mass Purchasers of Tickets

On application by Ticketmaster LLC (Ticketmaster), US District Court Judge Audrey Collins of the Central District of California issued a temporary injunction against software company RMG Technologies Inc (RMG) that prevents RMG from creating and selling automated software programs able to purchase massive quantities of tickets through Ticketmaster web sites. Ticketmaster asserts that the injunction also prohibits RMG from using information obtained from Ticketmaster web sites to create software that can bypass Ticketmaster's copy protection and web site regulation systems. Ticketmaster initiated an action against RMG over the use of the software in April; however, the issue suddenly became the focus of widespread media attention due to the rapid sell-outs of tickets for teenage singing star Hannah Montana's upcoming concert tour. Many tickets for the Hannah Montana concert tour were purchased online by ticket brokers as soon as they became available, resulting in very few being available for the general public. Some brokers are reportedly selling Hannah Montana concert tickets, which have a face value of US$26-$66, for US$2,500-$3,000 each. Public outrage from these events has prompted several State attorneys general to investigate whether ticket resellers are violating state consumer protection laws. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster President and CEO Sean Moriarty voiced his support for the injunction as follows, "We recognize and respect the necessity and reality of a vibrant resale market, but we will not tolerate those who seek an unfair advantage through the use of automated programs." For more information, follow these links: http://tinyurl.com/3atvy7; and http://tinyurl.com/2ozmye For the full reasons for judgment, see: http://tinyurl.com/2l2pn8 Summary by: Andrei Edwards