Do not write or sell ticket-sniping, flash-sale, fake-order or promotion-abuse scripts merely because they “only click buttons”
A script that sends requests faster than people, without modifying memory or cracking software, can still lead to conviction in China. RMB 5,000 in proceeds or RMB 10,000 in losses can meet the threshold. Someone using purchased 12306 accounts to obtain over 200 tickets for over RMB 20,000 profit received 1 year 6 months suspended for the same period and a RMB 5,000 fine. An online seller of ticket-sniping software paid RMB 20,000 for unfair competition.
What it takes
No money or time.
What you may gain
Intruding into computer systems or using other technical methods to obtain their data carries up to 3 years and/or a fine in serious cases, or 3–7 years in particularly serious cases. Serious cases include illegal proceeds of at least RMB 5,000 or losses of at least RMB 10,000. In an official case, a defendant bulk-imported purchased 12306 accounts into cheating software and submitted dense multithreaded ticket requests, obtaining over 200 tickets for clients and more than RMB 20,000 profit. The illegal-data-acquisition sentence was 1 year 6 months suspended for 1 year 6 months, plus RMB 5,000. Zheng, selling software targeting a ticketing app, was found liable for unfair competition and ordered to pay RMB 20,000. Chinese law applies.
Context & considerations
The cited ticket script did not modify memory or crack software; it was still prosecuted under Article 285 despite “just being faster.” Both paid ticket-sniping and selling scripts generate proceeds. No official case was found for a single personal use.
Research & references
National People's Congress of China (2020). Criminal Law incorporating Amendment XI, Article 285(2). https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html; Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate (2011). Computer Information System Security Criminal Interpretation, Article 1. https://ga.sz.gov.cn/ZWGK/ZCFG/ZCJD/content/post_1304363.html; Supreme People's Procuratorate (2026). Shanghai Jing'an: Prosecution of Profitable Bulk Train-Ticket Sniping Using Cheat Software. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/dfjcdt/202607/t20260707_731426.shtml; Supreme People's Court (2025). Typical People's Court Intellectual Property Cases for 2024, case 7, ticket-sniping software unfair competition. https://enipc.court.gov.cn/zh-cn/news/view-4205.html