royal circle club EU lawmakers push for new ‘dynamic pricing’ rules after Oasis fans complain
FILE PHOTO: Members of British rock band Oasis rhythm guitarist Gem Archer, lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, bass guitarist Andy Bell and lead vocals Liam Gallagher pose during a news conference in Hong Kong February 25, 2006. They will hold a concert “Oasis-Live in Hong Kong” on Saturday night. REUTERS/Paul Yeung/File Photo/File Photo
LONDON — European Union lawmakers are backing calls for new rules around the use of “dynamic pricing” when selling online goods, after Oasis fans complained about massively inflated ticket prices for a string of sell-out shows by the British band.
Last month, thousands of fans waited for hours in virtual queues to get their hands on tickets for Oasis reunion shows in the UK and Ireland next summer, only to find prices had jumped dramatically at checkout.
Article continues after this advertisementThe resulting backlash sparked probes into Ticketmaster – the official ticketing partner for the concerts – among British, Irish, and European regulators.
FEATURED STORIES ENTERTAINMENT Alodia Gosiengfiao on her first pregnancy: ‘It’s a lot of work but exciting’ ENTERTAINMENT ‘Bling Empire’ star Kevin Kreider honored to join ‘Hello, Love, Again’ cast ENTERTAINMENT Loisa Andalio hopes to inspire young ones in esports film ‘Friendly Fire’Now eight of Ireland’s 14 MEPs (members of European Parliament) have backed calls for changes to the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping set of tech regulations rolled out earlier this year, to avoid similar situations in the future.
“If we require further regulation to ensure dynamic pricing does not become the norm then I do think it will be necessary,” said Dublin MEP Regina Doherty, who previously called for Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate the issue.
Article continues after this advertisementFirms deemed to be in breach of the DSA face fines of up to 6% of their global turnover. Repeat offenders can be banned from operating in Europe altogether.
Article continues after this advertisementThe EU has been conducting a broad “fitness check” of existing consumer protection laws over the past two years, with rules around ticket sales among those under review. A final report is due to be published later this year.
Article continues after this advertisementCiaran Mullooly, MEP for Ireland’s Midlands–North-West constituency, told Reuters he would support new measures being added to the DSA.
“There’s no word to describe it other than ‘rip-off’,” he said. “It’s a real challenge for the Digital Services Act. The Commission is going to have to get involved in this – and if they don’t, it’ll make their legislation irrelevant.”
Article continues after this advertisementAnother six of Ireland’s MEPs – Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher, Cynthia Ni Murchu, Kathleen Funchion, Luke Ming Flanagan, and Lynn Boylan – told Reuters they would support the introduction of new rules to deal with the issue.
“We should discuss whether or not we should amend the DSA to deal with dynamic pricing,” said Ni Murchi. “This issue is not new. Now is the time to discuss and take action.”
A representative for Oasis declined to comment. Ticketmaster did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Last weekroyal circle club, when Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a probe, a Ticketmaster spokesperson said the company was “committed to cooperating,” and Oasis issued a statement saying decisions on ticketing and pricing were the responsibility of promoters and management.
READ NEXT Piers Morgan sorry for airing ‘nasty’ allegations ... Miss Asia Pacific International 2024 Janelis Leyba advocates c... EDITORS' PICK Kristine gets nearer; Metro Manila, 42 other areas under Signal No. 1 LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Heart Evangelista: Woman to woman, I never had a problem with Pia Wurtzbach Marcos: PCG 'never alone' in mission to protect PH Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara Duterte: ‘You crossed the line’ MOST READ SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 23 View comments