Consumer protection: ticket sellers.

Existing law regulates ticket sellers, as defined. Existing law prohibits a ticket seller from contracting for the sale of tickets or accepting consideration for payment in full or for a deposit for the sale of tickets unless the ticket seller has possession of the ticket or meets a specified exception. Existing law imposes conditions on accepting a deposit from a prospective purchaser to obtain a ticket, as specified. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor and imposes civil penalties for certain violations. This bill would revise and recast those provisions, including, among other things, prohibiting a ticket seller from advertising, offering for sale, or contracting for the sale of a ticket, or accepting consideration for payment in full or for a deposit for the sale of a ticket if they do not own, possess, have constructive possession, or have the contractual right to sell the ticket. The bill would require a ticket seller or ticket resale marketplace, as defined, to comply with specified requirements in order to offer a service to obtain a ticket on behalf of a purchaser. The bill would also prohibit a ticket seller or ticket resale marketplace from selling more than one copy to a live entertainment event and would prohibit a ticket seller or ticket resale marketplace from displaying specified content on an internet website with intent to mislead if the content is substantially similar to the internet website of an event presenter, rights holder, or original seller, as specified. By imposing new requirements on ticket sales, the violation of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.