MRED warns Zillow lawsuit could revive MLS antitrust risks
MRED says Zillow listing filters conflict with IDX rules and could trigger renewed antitrust scrutiny tied to the DOJ’s 2008 NAR deal.
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for the residential real estate industry, specifically the Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) LLC, is warning its members about potential antitrust risks associated with Zillow's listing filters. According to MRED, Zillow's practice conflicts with the rules of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) and could revive antitrust concerns that were seemingly settled by the Department of Justice's (DOJ) 2008 agreement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
This matters because the 2008 DOJ-NAR agreement was a significant settlement that addressed antitrust concerns related to MLS and IDX rules. If Zillow's listing filters are found to be in conflict with IDX rules, it could trigger renewed scrutiny from regulators and potentially lead to further investigations or even litigation. The real estate industry relies heavily on MLS and IDX to share listing data, and any disruption to this process could have significant consequences for brokers, agents, and consumers.
What's next to watch is how this situation unfolds and whether Zillow will adjust its listing filters to comply with IDX rules. The industry should also keep an eye on any developments related to the DOJ's review of the 2008 settlement and whether MRED's concerns lead to further action from regulators. Additionally, it will be important to see how other real estate companies and MLSs respond to this situation and whether it leads to any changes in how listing data is shared and used.
Originally reported by housingwire.com. LodgeNews adds analysis for real estate & property readers.