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Lawmakers tell scalpers, hackers to get in line or pay the price: Internet bill inspired by uproar over sold out Hannah Montana concert
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 18--SPRINGFIELD -- Attention ticket scalpers: It could cost you $1,500 and 180 days in jail if you hack your way into Ticketmaster and grab up all the Hannah Montana tickets again.
That's the message from lawmakers Friday in a 94-0 House vote on legislation aimed at preventing ticket resellers from buying large blocs of hot concert tickets with computer software that essentially lets them cut in line ahead of everyone else.
But policing the Internet is difficult.
And even the bill's sponsor admits it may not do a thing to stop the practice if the measure passes the Senate and becomes law.
Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) said she would count on consumers to help police spot scalpers using software that blocks people trying to land tickets online, the "egregious" maneuver she contended happened during sales of tickets for last year's Hannah Montana concert.
She also conceded Internet users may find a way to circumvent a new law cracking down on Internet tickets sales for concerts and other events.
"But I decided it was worth it to press forward to clarify that, as a matter of public policy, this is wrong," May said.
May said she was flooded with complaints over the Hannah Montana concert because it sold out in minutes, but tickets immediately became available elsewhere.
"This wasn't just some mom and pop sitting at the kitchen table dialing in and getting lucky," May said. "They grabbed all the tickets immediately."
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