Enlarge / Did they compete with the bots to get their tickets? (credit: Mat Hayward/Getty Images)

Using software bots to buy concert tickets will soon be illegal, thanks to a bill passed by Congress yesterday.

The Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act makes it illegal to bypass any computer security system designed to limit ticket sales to concerts, Broadway musicals, and other public events with a capacity of more than 200 persons. Violations will be treated as “unfair or deceptive acts” and can be prosecuted by the Federal Trade Commission or the states.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), who sponsored the bill, told The Associated Press that he intends to “level the playing field” for people buying tickets.