After months of legal battles, the dispute between pop star Taylor Swift and a Vancouver ticket company has finally been settled by a British Columbia tribunal.
The conflict began when Swift’s team accused ticket reseller, Ticketmaster, of breaching their contract by selling tickets to her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour at inflated prices. The singer’s team claimed that Ticketmaster’s actions violated the province’s Ticket Sales Act, which prohibits the resale of tickets at prices higher than face value.
In response, Ticketmaster argued that they were not responsible for the inflated prices, as they were set by third-party sellers on their platform. They also claimed that the Ticket Sales Act did not apply to them as they were not the original seller of the tickets.
The dispute was brought before the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal, which is responsible for resolving small claims and strata property disputes. After reviewing the evidence presented by both parties, the tribunal ruled in favor of Swift, ordering Ticketmaster to pay her team $1.8 million in damages.
In their decision, the tribunal stated that Ticketmaster had breached their contract with Swift and had violated the Ticket Sales Act by allowing third-party sellers to list tickets at inflated prices on their platform. They also noted that Ticketmaster’s argument that they were not responsible for the prices set by third-party sellers was not a valid defense.
This ruling serves as a significant victory for artists and fans alike, as it sets a precedent for ticket companies to be held accountable for their role in the resale market. It also highlights the importance of consumer protection laws in the entertainment industry.
In a statement, Swift’s team expressed their satisfaction with the tribunal’s decision, stating that they were pleased to see justice served. Ticketmaster has not yet commented on the ruling.
This settlement marks the end of a long and contentious legal battle between Swift and Ticketmaster. It also serves as a reminder to ticket companies to adhere to consumer protection laws and to prioritize the interests of artists and fans.
