People who use plug-in programs or Web bots to purchase large numbers of tickets to concerts and cultural events could face up to three years in prison and be fined NT$3 million (US$98,270), a proposed amendment to the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act (文化創意產業發展法) says.
The amendment, which was approved by the Executive Yuan yesterday and would be deliberated at the Legislative Yuan, would also punish ticket scalpers, who could be fined 10 to 50 times the face value of the tickets.
The amendment was proposed to deter ticketing scalping after a ticket to the concert of the South Korean pop group Blackpink in Kaohsiung last month soared to NT$400,000.
Local governments can request police assistance if they want to investigate or crack down on ticket scalping, the amendment says.
The amendment also seeks to encourage people or corporations to invest in films or audio-visual content by offering more tax incentives.
“The amendment would list film, broadcast media and music sectors as industries of national strategic development. Individual and corporate investors can both enjoy tax incentives,” Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang (王時思) told a news briefing after the weekly Cabinet meeting.
For-profit businesses that invest in films, broadcast media and music companies, and participate in limited partnerships and projects for more than two years would qualify for an annual income tax reduction of up to 50 percent within five years from the year when the income tax is payable, the amendment says.
Individuals who invest at least NT$500,000 in a cash fund for a high-risk start-up or limited partnership, or a project jointly invested by the National Development Fund and hold the fund more than two years would qualify for a personal tax deductible of up to NT$3 million, it says.
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