You’ll Be Back (in Court): Ticketmaster May Proceed with Copyright and Anti-Hacking Claims Against Automated “Bot” Scooping Up Hamilton Tickets
On May 29, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled in favor of Ticketmaster L.L.C., refusing to dismiss its complaint against an enterprise using “bots” (software running automated scripts) to buy huge quantities of Hamilton tickets for resale at a steep markup. Such practices exclude many would-be customers from the room where it happens. This case adds to the growing jurisprudence in which website access in violation of posted terms of use may give rise to liability, including copyright and computer fraud claims. The case offers at least ten useful commandments, four of which are highlighted within this memorandum.