Ticketmaster Pays $265M for Online Scalper

'Wiseguys' accused of using hackers to corner market on concert tickets

(NEWSER) - Four men who formed a company called "Wiseguy Tickets" have been charged with running a massive ticket-scalping scheme. Federal prosecutors say the Californians employed a team of Bulgarian computer programmers to help them access the systems of vendors like Ticketmaster and corner the market on tickets for some of the country's hottest concerts and sporting events, CNET reports. More»

Miley Cyrus opts for paperless tix to control prices, resale

(NEWSER) - Better be sure before buying a Miley Cyrus concert ticket. Hers is the first major concert tour with paperless tickets—redeemable only at the door with the buyer's credit card—making it nearly impossible to pawn them off, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ticketmaster and concert promoters hope it will eliminate scalpers who hoard tickets and profit from the resale market. More»

Springsteen says ticket company's practice was a conflict of interest

(NEWSER) - The Boss called Ticketmaster into his office yesterday, and gave it a tongue-lashing it may not soon forget, Reuters reports. The ticket giant drew Bruce Springsteen's wrath for gouging fans Monday by redirecting them to its resaler, TicketNow, just minutes after seats for his "Working on a Dream" tour went on sale—offering tickets for hundreds of dollars above face value when seats were still available, reports Blomberg. More»

(AP) - A New Jersey congressman is demanding an investigation after Bruce Springsteen fans were unable to buy tickets from Ticketmaster's website—which promptly offered them more expensive tickets from a subsidiary. When tickets for Springsteen's Meadowlands show went on sale Monday, some fans attempting to buy them got an error message that shut them out. A TicketsNow ad offered tix for hundreds of dollars more than face value. More»

Efforts to break up the company face major stumbling blocks

(NEWSER) - Barry Diller might have won control over e-commerce company IAC/InterActiveCorp from rival John Malone in court Friday, but the CEO’s real trials have just begun. With the economy tanking and credit markets tightening, Diller’s plan to break up IAC into five “baby Barrys”—including Ticketmaster and the Home Shopping Network—might be tough to pull off, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»