From The Real Deal · Jake Indursky · · 1m
Compass sues 15 MLSes over listing policies
Compass files antitrust lawsuits against 15 MLSes for restricting agent marketing freedom.
In brief
Compass files antitrust lawsuits against 15 MLSes for restricting agent marketing freedom. Compass sued 15 MLSes for antitrust violations after claiming their listing rules prevent agents from marketing homes outside the system. Originally reported by The Real Deal.
Compass sues 15 MLSes
Compass filed federal antitrust lawsuits against 15 multiple listing services across eight states.
Defendants include 15 MLSes
Defendants include bridgeMLS, Bay East MLS, Contra Costa MLS, MLSListings, MLS Claw, San Diego MLS, ARMLS, REcolorado, NorthstarMLS, HAR, Stellar MLS, OneKey MLS, Canopy MLS, Hive MLS, and Doorify MLS.
Compass claims MLS rules restrict competition
Compass says MLS rules prevent agents from marketing listings outside the system, violating antitrust laws.
“Only the law and the homeowner should tell agents how to market a home, and the MLS is neither the law nor the homeowner”
MLSes argue their rules provide options
MLSes claim their rules allow agents to share listings individually or within brokerages without antitrust issues.
Compass points to office exclusives
Compass notes seven top MLSes have allowed agents to publicly market office exclusives without fines for years.
“For years, seven of the top 25 MLSs, covering 340,000 agents across 12 states, have allowed agents to publicly market 'office exclusives' without fines, and none of the problems they warn about have happened”
The essence
Compass sued 15 MLSes for antitrust violations after claiming their listing rules prevent agents from marketing homes outside the system.
