‘Taylor Swift’ bills would stop bots from hoarding concert tix in Michigan
- State Reps. Mike McFall and Graham Filler introduced ‘Taylor Swift’ legislation
- The bipartisan plan would help enforce a federal law against using bots to snap up concert tickets online
- The bill was referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform
State lawmakers want to crack down on individuals using automated software programs, or bots, to snag concert tickets and drive prices for highly sought-after performers.
State Reps. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, and Graham Filler, R-Clinton County, introduced two so-called Taylor Swift bills. They get their nickname from the controversy that erupted in 2022 after billions of ticket requests flooded in for the singer's Eras concert tour — causing a meltdown on the Ticketmaster website and forcing fans to buy tickets at exorbitant prices on resale.
The Michigan plan is similar to a law that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed this month prohibiting people from using bots to purchase excessive tickets or bypass presale codes.
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“This is about fairness and ensuring that Michiganders have a fair shot at purchasing tickets to their favorite events without unfair competition from automated bots,” said Filler, in a statement. “This is an issue that affects all of us who love attending concerts and sporting events.”
The federal Better Online Ticket Sales, or BOTS, Act made it illegal for ticket buyers to use bots to bypass online ticket restrictions or sell tickets for higher prices. The federal law also gave the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce it but the agency confirmed to CBS News in February that it had not brought a BOTS Act case since 2021.
The Michigan bills would further enforce the federal law and allow the state’s Attorney General office to take legal action against individuals or groups using bots to snatch concert tickets.
Under the proposal, those in violation would have to pay fines of up to $5,000 for each ticket obtained using bots.
The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform for further consideration.
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