Viagogo court case steps up
First published by Author on July 11, 2019 in the following categories: Advertising Industry Investigations Latest Pricing Selling Restrictions and tagged with advertising | cma | competition law | investigations | market study | pricing | secondary ticketing
The ongoing Viagogo court case between the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the secondary ticketing website is about to step up.
The CMA are reportedly moving ahead with contempt of court proceedings on the basis that they say Viagogo is still failing to adhere to a court order obtained earlier this year.
This is huge news, and it’s alarming to hear that the CMA considers that the ticketing resellers are still failing to comply with a court order. Following a market sector review, a number of firms changed their behaviours, but it appears that Viagogo isn’t fully complying.
CMA to pursue contempt of court proceedings
The CMA has announced that they’re going to pursue contempt of court proceedings against Viagogo for allegedly failing to adhere to a court order obtained earlier this year.
There have been a number of updates issued in the Viagogo court case over the last few months, with the CMA usually outlining their continual warnings to them about not doing what they should be doing. This all follows widespread criticism with regards to their practices, which don’t appear to be improving as well as required.
The CMA has confirmed that there has been many positive changes, but further checks and an independent review has found that their website is still not complaint.
Concerns in the Viagogo court case
The CMA has confirmed that their primary concerns with regards to the Viagogo court case and where they feel that the ticketing retail website is still falling short is as follows:
- Misleading ticket availability messages, like misleading information on number of tickets remaining;
- Viagogo’s warning to potential customers about restrictions on ticket resales and people not getting into events doesn’t meet the requirements of the court order;
- Seat numbers not being displayed on their website as required;
- Incomplete addresses for businesses selling tickets.
Their concerns appear to be more than warranted, particularly when you account for the fact that there’s a live court order that must be complied with.
This case follows market sector reviews and investigations that have been going on for a number of years now.
Separate hearing last month
There was also a separate Viagogo court case heard last month that the CMA is awaiting a ruling on. This was in relation to information displaying the face-value of tickets, and in relation to deadlines for people to claim refunds.
The outcome of that hearing should hopefully be known soon.