Ticketmaster Faces Class Action in Quebec Over Service Fees

After yesterday’s news a potential class-action lawsuit targeting Ticketmaster’s use of third-party tracking technology, word has surfaced of another, unrelated class-action, this time from customers in Quebec.

The details:

• As per CBC Canada, Ticketmaster is accused of violating Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act and the Quebec Civil Code by charging “abusive service fees on ticket sales.”

• The lawsuit alleges fees fluctuate depending on the ticket price rather than the cost of service.

• It was filed in 2024 by law firm Paquette Gadler on behalf of Felipe Morales, and authorized as a class-action on Monday January 5 by the Quebec Superior Court.

• It seeks to represent all Quebecers who’ve bought tickets through Ticketmaster to shows in North America since July 2021.

• A trial date has not been set.

Resale crackdown:

• In related news, in December the Quebec government tabled Bill 10, which seeks to crack down on “abusive” ticket resale practices.

• It would require sites such as Ticketmaster and Billets.ca to clearly indicate they are resale sites and display original ticket prices.

• They would also be forced to sign contracts with event producers giving them permission to sell tickets above face value.