The repercussion abroad of the Taylor Swift Law, to fight money changers in Brazil

Taylor Swift is making history in Brazil even before the realization of its next shows, scheduled to take place in November in the cities of São Paulo (24th, 25th and 26th) and Rio de Janeiro (days 17, 18 and 19).

A bill that aims to criminalize the action of money changers beyond sporting events – the only area in which acting is already a crime in Brazil – has generated such repercussions that even international vehicles are addressing the issue. The discussion is not current, but it gained new proportions after the problems in selling tickets for the singer’s performances in the national territory, where fans reported a series of problems caused by this type of practice – including even threats to those who were camped in the queues. for the in-person purchase of tickets.

the federal deputy Simone Marquetto (MDB-SP) presented a project (informally named “Taylor Swift Law”) that aims to prohibit the sale of tickets for prices above the official one. According to metropolisesthe crime would have a penalty of between 1 and 4 years in prison, in addition to a fine one hundred times greater than the value of the tickets.

“Fans allege that unauthorized resellers purchased a large number of tickets, making it impossible for other consumers to sell them. There are still reports that these tickets are being resold on unofficial websites for values ​​much higher than previously practiced.”

Two other deputies addressed the issue. Pedro Aihara (Patriota-MG) states that the practice should also be criminalized in the digital sphere, with a penalty of 1 to 3 years in prison, in addition to a fine ten times higher than the ticket price. Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), in turn, filed complaints against the action of the money changers to the Public Ministry for “violence, extortion and crime against the popular economy”.

international repercussion

In view of this, a series of international vehicles echoed the actions of Brazilian politicians. The magazine’s website forbesa world reference in economics, published the following introductory paragraph:

“Legislators in Brazil have reacted to reports of violence among ticket scalpers for Taylor Swift in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, proposing a law that would crack down on dealers by increasing fines and possible jail sentences, as a frenzy over the singer’s tour hits the world.”

O New Musical Express (NME), a vehicle specializing in music active since the 1950s, pointed out that deputies are trying to mobilize even before the start of sales for Taylor’s sixth show in Brazil, announced for Rio de Janeiro last week. Tickets began to be sold this Wednesday (28), but no law was passed.

A NBC, an American TV station, pointed out that the United States also has problems with the sale of concert tickets. Taylor Swift’s tour itself generated high demand from fans – and scalpers, which would have caused online sales to stall to the point where ticketmaster Ticketmaster pulled the plug.

“The US Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in January to investigate Ticketmaster’s monopoly on US ticket sales after the company canceled an announced public ticket sale, disappointing fans. Tickets for the tour dates in Brazil are sold through entertainment company Tickets for Fun, which is not affiliated with Ticketmaster. In Chile, president Gabriel Boric wrote to Swift asking her to consider adding Chile to her future tour dates, according to Billboard.”

Forbes also highlighted the topic.

“The fiasco during ticket sales in the United States – which saw the Ticketmaster website crashing during a pre-sales drop and general sales cancellation – led to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, in which the chairman of the Live Nation’s Joe Berch blamed ‘industrial scalpers’ and a ‘cyber attack’. Last week, Ticketmaster promised it would display final prices at checkout – including mandatory fees that usually show up at checkout for customers – for locations it owns and give customers the option to view prices that way at other locations. [nota da edição: nos Estados Unidos, tornou-se comum que ingressos sejam vendidos com taxas variáveis e preços dinâmicos, como passagens de avião, conforme oferta e demanda].”

A billboard, a music magazine active in the United States since 1894 (and responsible for publishing the country’s hit charts), pointed out that there are laws in Brazil that prevent this type of action. However, the intention of deputies is to improve it.

“A law in force since 1951 already prohibits ‘crimes against consumers’ in Brazil and establishes imprisonment of up to two years for offenders, although convictions are generally converted into community service.”