Music-industry insiders: State should outlaw scalping

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Dec 05, 2099 Source: The Denver Post Submitted By: By Sean Kelly © 1999 The Denver Post Corp. Dec. 5 - While ticket scalping is illegal in the city of Denver, the state of Colorado has no law prohibiting it and does not regulate the industry. Maybe it should, say many of those close to the business. It's the fans that suffer when scalpers and brokers dominate the market, they say. Local ticket broker Jack Stirman believes the only way to stop the practice is through state legislation that strictly limits scalping. Similar measures have been used with moderate success in other states, including New York and Florida. "The fans, the people who go to these shows, need to stand up for themselves,'' he said. "New laws to put brokers out of business. A class-action lawsuit. Whatever it takes. Let's get it on the ballot in the year 2000.'' In New York, it is illegal to sell a ticket for more than $5 or 10 percent over face value. Florida makes it illegal to sell tickets for more than $1 over face value. "Something like that needs to be done here. If the ambassadors of the industry step forward, the people will follow,'' Stirman said. Longtime Denver promoter Barry Fey agreed, saying a new law might work where past efforts have failed. "Every promoter would support it. Every act would support it. I don't think anybody would fight it except these ticket people,'' he said. However, the state Senate's minority leader says he's not sure that extending Denver's ban to the entire state through legislation is practical. "I think it's very hard to get the Colorado Legislature to step into a private market,'' said state Sen. Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. "I personally don't think government should solve these problems.'' Copyright 1999 The Denver Post. All rights reserved. Related articles: Tour Accountants Raise New Allegations In Backstreet Boys Ticket Controversy Dec 5 99 (12k) Concert giant sold brokers prime seats Dec 5 99 (15k) Best seats not available to average customers Dec 5 99 (17k) How House of Blues used special sales to pump up revenue Dec 5 99 (6k) Backstreet Boys, House Of Blues Concerts Square Off... Nov 30 99 (8k) House of Blues donate $75,000 to benefit Columbine Nov 27 99 (6k) Backstreet Boys "Horrified" At Ticket Scalping In Denver Nov 23 99 (5k) Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys Announce Tour Plans For Early 2000 Prev Item: How House of Blues used special sales to pump up revenue