Can secondary ticketers' reputations be saved?

It is too late for August's dispirited punters, but we can still act to ensure future online buyers are not ripped off

Like it or not, the secondary ticketing market is not going away, but the horrendous experience endured by music fans at the hands of companies such as SOS Master Tickets this summer spells out in the clearest possible terms the Government can no longer allow this sector to carry on unregulated.

The consequences of thousands of people being turned away at festivals and concert venues, having spent their hard-earned cash on non-existent tickets, will be felt not just by secondary ticketing companies but the entire live music industry as those fans will now think twice about shelling out their money in future, especially online.

Without being given proper protection, some may shy away from buying tickets online for good, irrespective of whether it is from primary or secondary ticketing sites, reputable or untrustworthy operators.

So unless we wish to see a repeat of the fiasco of SOS and co, it is now appropriate for the Government to intervene to make sure online secondary ticketing sites are properly regulated. The fact the likes of Trading Standards and the Serious Crime Squad are now investigating the activities of part of this market makes the message even clearer that now is the time to act.

Although they are doing their best to alert fans, organisers behind such events as music festivals cannot be expected to keep on top of every dodgy new site.

It is even more unrealistic and unreasonable to assume any potential buyer will do the research themselves to ensure they are buying from a legitimate site. When someone is desperate for a ticket to an event, the last ...