Rugby Sevens Tickets - No longer allowed on GeoExpat

[KnowItAll]

As expected, we've been warned about the seven tickets by the Rugby Union (ironically an institution that hosts the top bankers and property guys in town) that we should not allow our members to buy / sell / trade tickets on the site.

Rather than make an issue out of it. We're no longer going to allow ticket sales on GeoExpat.

We reserve the right to inform the Rugby Union of any members (including your IP addresses and any information we have about you) who try to use GeoExpat to sell tickets.

Dear Sirs

It has come to our attention that Hong Kong Expats - Apartments, Classifieds, Forums and Jobs For the Expat in Hong Kong :: Hong Kong GeoExpat are allowing registered users of your platform to advertise the unauthorized on-selling of tickets to the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008.

By on-selling tickets Hong Kong Expats - Apartments, Classifieds, Forums and Jobs For the Expat in Hong Kong :: Hong Kong GeoExpat users will be in breach of Clause 7 of the ticket terms and conditions, in that the tickets may not be re-sold:

7. This ticket is not refundable or exchangeable and may not be re-sold. It shall not be purchased or obtained from any person, commercial agent or company other than the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union or its authorized
agents.

We would ask that you cease and desist from allowing your platform to be used to advertise the unauthorized selling of tickets to the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens. Also please note that at least two of your users are currently infringing on the Trademark Rights of the HKRFU and the International Rugby Board, in using registered trademarks on their postings.

The HKRFU reserve the right to take further action if necessary.

Regards
Warrick Dent

Sevens & Commercial Manager
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union

Email: [email protected]

[PDLM]

Fair enough, but I'll be interested to see how far they're going to take this. For example, I believe that Bulldog's is planning to give away tickets as prizes for their quiz league over the coming weeks. Strictly that's in breach of the rules also it seems.

Since they say that the tickets are non-refundable, what exactly do they expect people to do who bought the tickets in good faith but whose plans then changed and they cannot attend?

Is it reasonable just to ask people to write off the money in that case? And isn't it a waste to have seats going unfilled as a result?

[KnowItAll]

PDLM - Very valid points but I have no desire (and more importantly energy) to engage in a conversation with them or their lawyers.

I don't see them taking this further with anyone else. Saber rattling as far as I'm concerned.

[PDLM]

It is clear, by the way, that it is against the law (Cap.172 s.4) to resell tickets at above the face value, but there is no legal prohibition on reselling at or below face value if you can't use tickets you have bought. This is purely a contract terms issue.

[KnowItAll]

Closing the topic.

Feel free to email the person from the Rugby Union if you have any problems getting rid of your tickets, or if you see any tickets being sold on other sites.

I've added back his contacts to the original email as he did have the basic courtesy to reply back to me.