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Bill114th CongressFiled Apr 28, 2016Commerce
H.R. 5104

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Sep 12, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the sale of computer software that: (1) is primarily designed to circumvent technology that limits purchases made via an online ticket selling system, (2) has only a limited commercially significant purpose other than for such circumvention, or (3) is marketed to use for such circumvention.

The bill also prohibits the use of such circumvention software in violation of a system operator's posted limits on: (1) the quantity of tickets purchased by a single user; (2) the sequence, number, or frequency of transactions; or (3) the geographic location of transactions.

In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to resell in commerce tickets that were acquired through such a prohibited use of circumvention software if the reseller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation.

It shall not be unlawful, however, to create or use software to: (1) investigate or further the enforcement or defense of any alleged violation of this bill, or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of a computerized event ticketing system if these activities are conducted to advance the state of knowledge in the field of computer system security or to assist in the development of computer security products.

Violations shall be treated as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general may enforce against violations.

What just happenedSep 13, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7](R-TN)Sponsor
18 cosponsors9 D9 R
Read on Congress.gov
18cosponsors2committees20actions3related bills8subjects
  1. Sep 13, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Sep 12, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 12, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5292-5293)

  4. Sep 12, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5292-5293)

  5. Sep 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5104.

  6. Sep 12, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5292-5295)

  7. Sep 12, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Sep 9, 2016CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 569.

  9. Sep 9, 2016CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-733.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  10. Sep 9, 2016Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-733.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  11. Jul 13, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  12. Jul 13, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Jul 12, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  14. Jun 9, 2016Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee
  15. Jun 9, 2016Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee
  16. Jun 8, 2016Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee
  17. Apr 29, 2016Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

    Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee
  18. Apr 28, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  19. Apr 28, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Apr 28, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedSep 12, 201636

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the sale of computer software that: (1) is primarily designed to circumvent technology that limits purchases made via an online ticket selling system, (2) has only a limited commercially significant purpose other than for such circumvention, or (3) is marketed to use for such circumvention.

The bill also prohibits the use of such circumvention software in violation of a system operator's posted limits on: (1) the quantity of tickets purchased by a single user; (2) the sequence, number, or frequency of transactions; or (3) the geographic location of transactions.

In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to resell in commerce tickets that were acquired through such a prohibited use of circumvention software if the reseller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation.

It shall not be unlawful, however, to create or use software to: (1) investigate or further the enforcement or defense of any alleged violation of this bill, or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of a computerized event ticketing system if these activities are conducted to advance the state of knowledge in the field of computer system security or to assist in the development of computer security products.

Violations shall be treated as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general may enforce against violations.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Sep 9, 201617

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the sale of computer software that: (1) is primarily designed to circumvent technology that limits purchases made via an online ticket selling system, (2) has only a limited commercially significant purpose other than for such circumvention, or (3) is marketed to use for such circumvention.

The bill also prohibits the use of such circumvention software in violation of a system operator's posted limits on: (1) the quantity of tickets purchased by a single user; (2) the sequence, number, or frequency of transactions; or (3) the geographic location of transactions.

In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to resell in commerce tickets that were acquired through such a prohibited use of circumvention software if the reseller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation.

It shall not be unlawful, however, to create or use software to: (1) investigate or further the enforcement or defense of any alleged violation of this bill, or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of a computerized event ticketing system if these activities are conducted to advance the state of knowledge in the field of computer system security or to assist in the development of computer security products.

Violations shall be treated as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general may enforce against violations.

Introduced in HouseApr 28, 2016

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act

This bill prohibits: (1) intentionally using or selling software to circumvent a security measure, access control system, or other control or measure on a ticket seller's Internet website that is used by the seller to ensure equitable consumer access to tickets for any given event; or (2) selling any ticket in interstate commerce knowingly obtained in violation of such prohibition.

The Federal Trade Commission shall enforce against violations of such prohibitions, which shall be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. A person who suffers injury as a result of a violation of these prohibitions may bring a civil action for damages plus $1,000 for each distinct use or sale of software, or sale of a ticket, that caused such injury and reasonable attorney's fees.

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 — Informed