Introduction: In an effort to curb ticket scalping at major concerts, Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture has announced that several cities have shown strong support for real-name registration systems for ticket sales. This initiative, which encourages the use of identification when purchasing concert tickets, aims to reduce illegal resale and ensure fair access to highly anticipated events.
Governmental Support for Anti-Scalping Measures
According to the Ministry of Culture, a meeting held in mid-December 2024 between representatives from Taiwan’s six special municipalities led to agreements on measures that would support anti-scalping efforts. These measures focus on promoting the use of real-name registration for tickets, particularly at publicly owned venues.
A key proposal under discussion involves incentivizing promoters who use real-name registration systems. This could include discounts on venue rentals for concerts with over 10,000 tickets. Taipei City has already shown commitment to this initiative, announcing plans to grant promoters using real-name registration discounts on venue rental fees, particularly during peak concert seasons.
Cities Take Action: Taipei and Kaohsiung Lead the Way
The Taipei City government has outlined specific steps to encourage the use of real-name registration for large-scale concerts. Promoters utilizing this system for concerts at eligible venues will be offered reduced rental fees. This move aligns with the Ministry’s vision of ensuring tickets reach genuine concertgoers, not scalpers.
Kaohsiung City has also expressed support, committing to the implementation of similar measures for the venues it manages. The cooperation between Taiwan’s major cities is seen as a vital step toward effectively combating ticket scalping.
| City | Action Plan | Outcome Expected |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei | Discounted rent for promoters requiring real-name registration for large concerts | Reduction in scalped tickets |
| Kaohsiung | Adopt real-name registration measures for concerts in local venues | Fairer access to tickets |
| National | Continued support for promoters implementing real-name systems at public venues across Taiwan | Reduce scalping on a national level |
Tackling the Growing Scalping Problem
Ticket scalping has been a growing issue in Taiwan, with several high-profile concerts falling victim to inflated ticket prices. One example is Mandopop star Jay Chou’s concerts in December 2024 at the Taipei Dome, where scalped tickets were found online for as much as NT$300,000—43 times the original price.
In response to such incidents, law enforcement has ramped up efforts to tackle scalping. Police have arrested individuals involved in reselling Jay Chou’s concert tickets at exorbitant prices. The government’s crackdown on scalping is now supported by the real-name registration measure, seen as a crucial tool in stopping illegal resale practices before they begin.
Legal Measures and Penalties
In addition to real-name registration, Taiwan has strengthened its legal stance against ticket scalping. An amendment to the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act passed in May 2023 increases fines for ticket resellers. Those caught reselling tickets at inflated prices face fines ranging from 10 to 50 times the ticket’s original value. Furthermore, individuals using proxies to secure tickets may face up to three years in prison and fines up to NT$3 million.
The introduction of these legal measures, coupled with local government support for real-name registration, is part of Taiwan’s broader efforts to maintain fairness in its entertainment industry and ensure that tickets are accessible to genuine concertgoers.
Conclusion: A Joint Effort to Prevent Scalping
The combined efforts of Taiwan’s major cities and the Ministry of Culture signal a strong commitment to combating ticket scalping. With Taipei and Kaohsiung taking the lead in implementing real-name registration, and new legal penalties in place, the hope is that these measures will restore fairness to ticket sales and create a more transparent environment for concertgoers.
FAQ
1. How does real-name registration help prevent ticket scalping? Real-name registration links concert tickets to individual buyers, making it more difficult for scalpers to resell tickets at inflated prices. This system helps ensure that tickets go to legitimate concertgoers.
2. What cities in Taiwan have implemented anti-scalping measures? Taipei and Kaohsiung have both committed to using real-name registration for large concerts at publicly owned venues. Other cities are expected to follow suit.
3. What are the legal penalties for ticket scalping in Taiwan? Ticket resellers face fines of 10 to 50 times the ticket’s original value. Those using proxies to buy tickets may also face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to NT$3 million.
