UK: CMA raids Viagogo, StubHub offices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly raided the London offices of Viagogo and eBay’s StubHub as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of UK consumer law by secondary ticketing companies.

According to The Guardian’s Rob Davies, officials from the British competition watchdog seized information relating to the two companies’ relationships with prominent ticket touts, and whether those resellers benefit from privileged relationships with the sites at the expense of ordinary fans.

The CMA is believed to have issued “information notices” to four secondary ticketing sites, demanding information about their relationships with touts. Ticketmaster, which owns Seatwave and Get Me In! – the other two sites at the center of CMA’s investigation – reportedly turned over the requested details; CMA officials raided Viagogo’s new Cannon Street office and StubHub’s premises in Tottenham Court Road when they failed to comply.

In the case of StubHub, the competition watchdog is understood to be especially interested in its Top Seller program for its biggest resellers, bolstered with the company’s recent acquisition of inventory-management solution Ticket Utils.

Full Content: The Guardian

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.