UK Music's chief executive Michael Dugher has attacked Google for failing to act over rip-off ticket sales by Viagogo. The MU supports this move, and calls on Google to fight against parasitic secondary ticket sales.
The Advertising Standards Authority has referred Viagogo to National Trading Standards, requesting an investigation amid stories of fans paying thousands of pounds to see their favourite acts.
Michael Dugher condemned Google for “sitting on its hands” over the scandal of exorbitant ticket prices charged by Viagogo for concerts.
Mr Dugher’s comments followed an intervention by Digital Minister Margot James who urged fans to steer clear of Viagogo if they had to use a secondary ticketing site. She told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Don’t choose Viagogo – they are the worst”.
Artists and fans are losing out
MU Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl agreed with Mr Dugher, commenting that:
“We need Google to step up and play their part. I feel sure we will beat these parasitic secondary ticketing sites that neglect to invest money back into the industry they profit from.
“Artists and fans are losing out and it can’t go on.”
Google is complicit in the issue
Michael Dugher explained the issues with Google behavior:
“In the same way Google’s YouTube rip off artists and creators, Google is complicit in taking music fans for a ride because they put Viagogo at the top of internet searches – not the official ticketing sites. That has to stop.
Ending on a positive note he described how the actions of industry campaigners are building awareness:
“Thanks to calls from industry campaigners like the FanFair Alliance and UK Music, everyone is aware of the problem. What we need now is action.”
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The MU continues to campaign for musicians’ rights, including fair pay and keeping grassroots venues live.
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