The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced today (Thursday) it will move forward with legal proceedings against secondary ticketing site viagogo.
The CMA has stated that viagogo has failed to overhaul the way its website presents information to come into line with UK consumer protection law.
They outline areas that fall short of this practice as including, some seat numbers not being included on the website, misleading ticket availability messages, the warning it gives to people that tickets with resale restrictions may not get them into the event.
Additionally, the CMA points out that the website displays incomplete addresses of businesses selling tickets.
In November 2018, the CMA secured a court order demanding that viagogo overhaul the way it runs its UK website to comply with consumer protection law, with a deadline of 17 January 2019.
While the CMA concedes that positive changes have been made, they believe that they’re not enough to comply fully and will ask a court to find the company in contempt of court.
Andrea Coscelli, chief executive, CMA, says: ‘It is simply not good enough that viagogo is continuing to drag its heels by not complying in full with this important court order. We secured the order on behalf of people who use these resale websites and deserve to know the facts before parting with their hard-earned money.
‘After the CMA repeatedly raised concerns with viagogo, and also took the time needed to give proper consideration to the findings of an independent review of viagogo’s compliance, we are very concerned that it still hasn’t done what it was ordered to do. We are now taking the next step in legal action to ask a court to find viagogo in contempt.’
FanFair Alliance, who have been campaigning to tackle industrial-scale online ticket touting, have reacted to the CMA’s announcement.
Adam Webb, campaign manager, FanFair Alliance says: ‘FanFair Alliance fully supports the CMA's decision in taking further action against Viagogo and asking a court to find them in contempt.
‘Our campaign has consistently raised serious concerns that Viagogo remains short of full compliance with UK consumer law, and trust that any court action will take place without delay.This company can be allowed no more excuses to delay or drag its heels.’
The CMA has stated that viagogo has failed to overhaul the way its website presents information to come into line with UK consumer protection law.
They outline areas that fall short of this practice as including, some seat numbers not being included on the website, misleading ticket availability messages, the warning it gives to people that tickets with resale restrictions may not get them into the event.
Additionally, the CMA points out that the website displays incomplete addresses of businesses selling tickets.
In November 2018, the CMA secured a court order demanding that viagogo overhaul the way it runs its UK website to comply with consumer protection law, with a deadline of 17 January 2019.
While the CMA concedes that positive changes have been made, they believe that they’re not enough to comply fully and will ask a court to find the company in contempt of court.
Andrea Coscelli, chief executive, CMA, says: ‘It is simply not good enough that viagogo is continuing to drag its heels by not complying in full with this important court order. We secured the order on behalf of people who use these resale websites and deserve to know the facts before parting with their hard-earned money.
‘After the CMA repeatedly raised concerns with viagogo, and also took the time needed to give proper consideration to the findings of an independent review of viagogo’s compliance, we are very concerned that it still hasn’t done what it was ordered to do. We are now taking the next step in legal action to ask a court to find viagogo in contempt.’
FanFair Alliance, who have been campaigning to tackle industrial-scale online ticket touting, have reacted to the CMA’s announcement.
Adam Webb, campaign manager, FanFair Alliance says: ‘FanFair Alliance fully supports the CMA's decision in taking further action against Viagogo and asking a court to find them in contempt.
‘Our campaign has consistently raised serious concerns that Viagogo remains short of full compliance with UK consumer law, and trust that any court action will take place without delay.This company can be allowed no more excuses to delay or drag its heels.’
