Zillow alleges an "unlawful conspiracy" by MRED and Compass to cut off its access to Chicagoland listing data. Defendants counter that Zillow's harm is "self-inflicted" due to its own anticompetitive tactics and policies.
This legal battle highlights tensions between listing portals and multiple listing services over data access and control, potentially impacting how real estate information is shared and accessed by consumers and agents nationwide.
Zillow, Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), and Compass have exchanged legal briefs in an ongoing antitrust dispute concerning Zillow's access to Chicagoland listing data. Zillow alleges an "unlawful conspiracy" between MRED and Compass to cut off its data feed by updating MRED's IDX display policy. Zillow claims this action violates antitrust laws and will cause irreparable harm to its brand and competitive position.
In its filings, Zillow argues that the defendants' briefs fail to rebut its showing of likely success on the merits and that their alleged group boycott is a per se violation of antitrust law. Zillow contends that the lack of pro-competitive justifications from Compass and MRED warrants granting its preliminary injunction motion.
Conversely, MRED and Compass assert that Zillow's harm is "self-inflicted" and that Zillow is attempting to shield itself from the consequences of its own anticompetitive tactics. They argue that Zillow manufactured a listing ban to punish sellers and agents who privately market homes, violating MRED's procompetitive display rules. The defendants maintain that their responses were unilateral defenses against Zillow's alleged anticompetitive attacks, not a conspiracy, and that Zillow is trying to wield its market power to force immediate public marketing of homes.
Judge John Tharp Jr. is considering these arguments to decide on Zillow's preliminary injunction motion. The court's ruling may take weeks or months.