Just as its first weekend of acts is getting underway, Coachella has filed a federal lawsuit against LA-based marketing firm Particle, LLC for selling scalped tickets, marking the first time that the festival giant has taken a scalper to federal court.
Team Coachella slapped Particle, LLC with the lawsuit after its owner, Denise Kozlowski, allegedly sent out an email advertising the short term rental of festival passes.
“I also have VIP, Guest and Artist passes for sale. Please inquire for more details,” her email allegedly reads.
Coachella wristbands are not allowed to be transferred or sold, and any patron caught with a wristband not purchased in their own name can be kicked out or denied entry to the festival.
In the lawsuit, Coachella also contends that Particle are also infringing on their trademark because it uses the festival’s name in its advertising, which has the potential to cause “irreparable” damage to their name.
“Unwitting members of the public” will be denied entry, “or worse, ejected from the festival,” their statement reads.
The lawsuit goes on to suggest that “money damages cannot fully repair the damage that will be done to (Coachella’s) reputation and goodwill if it must turn away would-be festival attendees because they have unwittingly purchased void passes from defendants.”
Coachella kicks off today – Saturday, 16th April – and you can check out the preview clip and full lineup below, or else live stream the whole thing right here.
Watch: Coachella LIVE 2016 Preview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLIjqRbAQP0WK0ELrINRXWOaQjpByr8FTj&v=MOwhkVpwKn4
