"We expect others in the industry to pay attention to the Orders in this case."
William Rubenstein
A settlement has been reached between South Windsor-based TicketNetwork and the State of Connecticut. In the deal, TicketNetwork agreed to clearly disclose that it is a ticket resale company, and not an official box office outlet.
Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein said the settlement, which was filed jointly with the Federal Trade Commission, brings transparency to the secondary ticket market industry.
"We expect others in the industry to pay attention to the Orders in this case and change behavior if they need to in order to comply," Rubenstein said.
According to the State of Connecticut, the terms of the Consent Orders include bans on:
- using the name of theaters, stadiums or other entertainment venues, including partial or alternate spellings in website URL addresses;
- deceptively using pictures, logos or descriptions of venues; and
- using the word “official” in phrases such as “official tickets,” “official source,” or “official website” in any online advertising, display URLs, websites, web pages or any other form of advertising for the sale of secondary market tickets.
TicketNetwork withdrew from the state's "First Five" program in 2012 after it's now-former CEO was arrested. According to The New Haven Register, Donald Vaccaro settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with his former company on Wednesday.