It's possible I've completely misunderstood this story, but as far as I can see the government went to the live music sector saying "sort out the ticket touting problem or we'll regulate", the live music sector responded by saying "go ahead and regulate, actually we want you to", and the government replied "oh, mmm, I see, well, I'm not sure regulation is really appropriate. Except where dead ex-royals are involved".
Anyway, the Concert Promoters Association has called on the government to do more to combat ticketing touting, mainly by introducing new laws that ban certain methods of reselling tickets for profit in the live entertainment space.
As previously reported, the government has been encouraging the live music sector to do its bit to combat touting, both of the traditional 'outside the venue tout' and more modern 'online auction' kind, and yesterday the Department For Culture Media And Sport noted certain initiatives by the live sector which are helping, including the publishing of clearer resale information and the provision of legitimate face value ticket exchange services.
But whilst expressing their concern for the growth in ticket touting, and pushing the live sector to do more, the government seems generally unwilling to legislate against the resale of tickets for profit, despite lobbying by the CPA to do just that. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told reporters: "We want to address the problems faced by fans - paying through the nose for a ticket with a poor view or handing over cash for a ticket that never existed. Progress has been made but we're going to continue to work with the industry to cut off the commercial opportunities for ticket touts and stamp out unfair practices. It would be unfair if consumers were unable to sell their own tickets and get their money back - we don't want to criminalise genuine fans".
But she has accepted that some regulations may be required, especially governing the resale of tickets for high profile charity based events, such as this year's Concert For Diana.
Commenting on their latest discussions with government, a spokesman for the CPA told reporters: "We welcome the secretary of state's clear statement that the government are against anyone re-selling a ticket for commercial gain. But we are frustrated that they have still not acted to give us the necessary tools to self-police our touts".