New Group Demands Cap On Ticket Fees

Arguing that concert ticket prices have been driven too high by unfair business practices, a newly formed consumer group announced Tuesday it was launching a national campaign to bring about government regulation of the concert industry.

Calling itself Consumers Against Unfair Ticketing, the nonprofit coalition announced in Washington plans to lobby for state and federal laws to cap service fees and monitor contracts between ticket agencies, promoters and venue operators.

“Consumers are caught in a stranglehold. … and it’s time to put a stop to it,” said Maura Brueger, executive director of the new Seattle-based group.