What the Law Prohibits
The BOTS Act makes it illegal to use software bots to buy tickets in a way that violates a ticket seller's terms of service. It specifically prohibits circumventing security measures on ticket websites, purchasing tickets with the intent to resell them at inflated prices using bots, and reselling tickets obtained through bot purchases. The law recognizes that bots can purchase thousands of tickets within seconds, leaving regular fans unable to buy tickets at regular prices.
Who Can Be Prosecuted
The law applies to anyone who knowingly uses bots to buy tickets illegally, including ticket scalpers and resellers. It also covers people who provide bot software or services designed to circumvent ticket purchase restrictions. Ticket resale websites that knowingly sell tickets purchased by bots can also face legal consequences.
Exceptions and Legal Ticket Buying
The BOTS Act does not prevent ticket resale itself or legitimate automated tools. Ticket sellers can still use bots for their own purposes, and resellers can legally buy and sell tickets if they obtained them through normal means. The law only targets unauthorized bot use that violates a website's terms of service.
How the Law Is Enforced
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the BOTS Act and investigates violations. Law enforcement can pursue both civil penalties and criminal charges. Ticket sellers can also sue violators in court. Since the law was passed, the FTC has taken action against several major bot operators and resale platforms.
Why the Law Was Needed
Before this law, scalpers and resellers used bots to buy most of the tickets for popular events, causing prices to skyrocket for average fans. The BOTS Act was created to level the playing field and help ensure that fans could actually purchase tickets at face value. It represents an effort to protect consumers from unfair ticket buying practices.