ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4081

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 15, 2018

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4081.

     As reported by the committee, this bill prohibits website operators from offering tickets to events, like performances and sporting games, using an Internet domain name that is intentionally misleading or deceptive to consumers.

     Specifically, the bill makes it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a website operator to sell or offer for sale a ticket to a New Jersey resident through a ticket website if the website operator intentionally uses an Internet domain name that contains any of the following:

     (1)   the name of the place of entertainment, or a name that is substantially similar; or

     (2)   the name of the event, or any name that is substantially similar, including the name of the person or entity scheduled to perform or appear at the place of entertainment.

     This restriction would not apply to a website operator who is authorized by a place of entertainment to act on its behalf.

     An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.  Additionally, violations can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.

As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 2665, which was also reported by the committee on the same date.