Ticket Snatchers -- Beware of Minnesota!

So, I'm fully aware of the political appeal of this new statute my home state has passed (after all, it was being sold to the public as the Hannah Montana bill after the spectacle of parents having to drop four-figure prices in order to get their little cherubs in to see their favorite TV star on stage). That's fine.

But, I'm really struggling to figure out what this bill means, and more to the point whether it could ever be enforced as written. What do you think? (Note that it's a criminal statute!)

(I think this is the version of the bill that was actually signed by our governor, but it's hard to figure that out for sure without paying somebody money to go figure it out. Call me cheap.)

S.F. No. 3139, 1st Engrossment - 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

A bill for an act relating to crime; establishing offense related to interfering with Internet ticket sales;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. [609.806] INTERFERING WITH INTERNET TICKET SALES.

(a) A person who intentionally uses software to circumvent on a ticket seller's Web site a security measure, an access control system, or a control or measure that is used to ensure an equitable ticket buying process, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "software" means computer programs that are primarily designed or produced for the purpose of interfering with the operation of any person or entity that sells, over the Internet, tickets of admission to a sporting event, theater, musical performance, or place of public entertainment or amusement of any kind.

EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2008, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.