A class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster has gained momentum as Quebec Superior Court Justice Eleni Yiannakis has permitted the case to proceed to trial. The lawsuit, initiated by Montreal immigration lawyer Felipe Morales and filed by Paquette Gadler Inc. in August 2024, accuses Ticketmaster of violating Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act and Civil Code through its controversial service fees.
The complaint highlights Ticketmaster’s fee structure, which varies based on ticket prices rather than the actual services provided. Morales, who experienced this first-hand while attempting to purchase Bruce Springsteen tickets in 2022, alleges that he was misled by the pricing model, which he describes as “excessive, unreasonable, abusive, and disproportionate.” After initially selecting four prime floor seats priced at $225 each, he faced difficulties finalizing the transaction and was forced to purchase different seats for $1,000 each, incurring an additional $599 in fees—approximately 15% of the total ticket cost.
Morales’s lawsuit claims that he is not alone in suffering due to Ticketmaster’s practices and seeks to represent other consumers who bought tickets through Ticketmaster in Canada since July 26, 2021. The complaint names multiple Ticketmaster entities, including Ticketmaster Canada LP and Ticketmaster LLC, calling attention to what they describe as a monopolistic environment that necessitates strict adherence to legal obligations.
In response, Ticketmaster stated that their fees are essential for covering operational costs like staffing, security, and payment processing, and that the company has aimed for transparency by providing total costs upfront since 2018. Ticketmaster asserts that their fee model protects the affordability of lower-priced tickets while ensuring fans are informed of the costs.
The case in Quebec is one of many legal challenges facing Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation. Recently, a lawsuit was filed alleging unauthorized surveillance practices that violate California privacy laws, alongside other litigation related to anticompetitive behavior. Notably, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has also taken action against the companies for potential violations of ticket resale laws.
As the trial progresses, Morales’s case may shed light on broader issues facing the ticketing industry and consumers’ rights. It presents an opportunity to address concerns surrounding transparency and fairness in ticket sales, with a hope for regulatory reforms that could enhance consumer protection in an industry often criticized for its monopolistic practices.