On Tuesday 28 April 2020, the National Council passed the Austrian Arts, Culture and Sports Security Act ("Kunst-, Kultur- und Sportsicherungsgesetz"). This Act authorizes private art, culture and sports organizations to issue vouchers instead of a refund of the ticket price. The aim of this measure is evident: to help the sector of arts, culture and sports which is severely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and not to drain their last liquidity. From a consumer protection perspective, the measures must be seen critically, especially because consumers will have to bear the risk of insolvency of the organizations. Even if only made for temporary use and created for this crisis, this measure will most likely land at Supreme Courts. A summary of the Act can be found here - german only.
