Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. Founded in 1976, it sells tickets for large-scale events like concerts, sports games, and theater shows. In recent years, a company called AM Ticketmaster has emerged, causing some confusion over whether it is the same as the original Ticketmaster company. In this article, we’ll examine the history and operations of both Ticketmaster and AM Ticketmaster to understand if they are in fact the same company or separate entities.
The History of Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1976 by two computer programmers, Albert Leffler and Peter Gadwa. It initially focused on selling tickets for local venues in Arizona, but quickly expanded nationwide throughout the 1970s and 80s. By 1982, Ticketmaster was selling over 75 million tickets, making it the largest ticketing service in the country.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Ticketmaster continued to grow through partnerships and acquisitions. It became the exclusive ticket provider for major venues like Madison Square Garden and big sports franchises like the NFL. It also expanded internationally, acquiring ticket companies in Europe and Australia.
Throughout its growth, Ticketmaster faced controversy over its service fees, which could add more than 25% to the base ticket price. As the company monopolized ticketing for major concerts and events, it was able to raise these fees without fear of competition. This led to lawsuits and consumer complaints over Ticketmaster’s business practices.
The Emergence of AM Ticketmaster
In recent years, a company called AM Ticketmaster has emerged as a ticket seller online. AM Ticketmaster uses a logo and branding that looks nearly identical to Ticketmaster, from its typeface to its color scheme. This has led many consumers to believe AM Ticketmaster is the same as or related to the original Ticketmaster.
However, AM Ticketmaster appears to have no direct relationship with the Ticketmaster company that’s been operating since 1976. It does not list Ticketmaster as a parent company in its business registration documents. The full legal name of AM Ticketmaster is Ticketmobility Exchange Inc.
AM Ticketmaster sprang up sometime in the mid-2010s selling tickets online to various concerts, shows, and events worldwide. It appears to get access to tickets through secondary market sources rather than directly from venues or event organizers. The company is based in jurisdictions outside the United States.
Key Differences Between the Companies
Though AM Ticketmaster borrows heavily from Ticketmaster’s branding and image, there are some key differences between the two companies:
Website Domain
The original Ticketmaster’s website domain is Ticketmaster.com. AM Ticketmaster uses ticketmaster.am as its domain name. The “.am” refers to Armenia, though AM Ticketmaster does not appear to be based or registered there.
Ticket Sources
As noted earlier, Ticketmaster gets its ticket inventory directly from venues, sports teams, and event organizers as their official ticket partner. AM Ticketmaster appears to be a ticket broker or secondary market reseller without those direct partnerships.
Refund Policies
The refund policies between the two companies differ. Ticketmaster provides refunds on most tickets up until 48 hours before an event. AM Ticketmaster generally does not offer refunds once a ticket purchase is made.
Buyer Protections
Ticketmaster offers buyer guarantees and fraud protection against invalid or fake tickets. There are no indications AM Ticketmaster offers similar buyer protections or fraud coverage.
Company History
Of course, the original Ticketmaster has over 40 years of company history and recognition in the ticket industry. There are no signs that AM Ticketmaster existed as a company prior to the 2010s.
Legal and Regulatory Issues
The similarities between AM Ticketmaster and Ticketmaster bring up some legal and regulatory issues. For example:
Copyright and Trademark Infringement
By mimicking the Ticketmaster branding so closely, AM Ticketmaster may be engaging in copyright or trademark infringement. Ticketmaster could potentially take legal action against the company for unauthorized use of its intellectual property.
Consumer Confusion
The nearly identical branding could easily mislead customers into thinking AM Ticketmaster is the same as or affiliated with Ticketmaster. This type of consumer confusion could violate consumer protection laws in many jurisdictions.
Unfair Competition
By trying to pass itself off as Ticketmaster, AM Ticketmaster may be engaging in unfair competition in violation of trade laws. This false association provides AM Ticketmaster an unearned advantage.
Ticket Resale Laws
If AM Ticketmaster is primarily a ticket broker reselling secondary market tickets, it may violate ticket resale laws that regulate pricing and other sales practices. The company’s jurisdiction is unclear, making applicable laws uncertain.
Is AM Ticketmaster Legitimate?
With the many open questions around AM Ticketmaster’s legal standing and relationship to Ticketmaster, consumers may be rightfully wary of using its services. There are a few other signs that AM Ticketmaster lacks legitimacy:
– No clear company history, leadership, or ownership information
– No transparency around sources of ticket inventory
– Very limited customer service and support channels
– Lack of affiliations with major venues, sports teams, and events
When interacting with a company that looks nearly identical to a major brand like Ticketmaster but lacks any of the official connections, it’s often best to take your business elsewhere. Until AM Ticketmaster can demonstrate it is a lawful, ethical, and reliable ticket seller, consumers are likely better off purchasing through well-known brands like Ticketmaster or other reputable ticket companies.
Conclusion
Based on all available information, AM Ticketmaster does not appear to be the same company as Ticketmaster. While it misleadingly uses a very similar brand image and name, AM Ticketmaster seems to be a wholly separate entity. The original Ticketmaster that’s been in business for over 40 years maintains no evident affiliation with AM Ticketmaster.
Consumers should be aware of these differences when considering ticket purchases. Ticketmaster comes with over four decades of industry experience, official venue and promoter partnerships, and buyer guarantees. In contrast, AM Ticketmaster is an obscure ticket reseller of unclear origins and business practices. Moving forward, Ticketmaster may need to take legal action if AM Ticketmaster continues to borrow its intellectual property with no formal ties between the two companies.