Zillow, the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Metro MLS and MLS Aligned have reached preliminary settlements in their antitrust cases. Zillow claims that ARMLS and Metro MLS conspired to create a “monopoly” by canceling their deep integration with ShowingTime in favor of MLS Aligned’s listing platform.
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Residential portal giant Zillow has reached a preliminary settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), Metro MLS, Inc. and MLS Aligned, according to court documents filed Friday.
“Plaintiffs Zillow Group, Inc. and ShowingTime.com, LLC provide this notice … that they have reached an in-principle settlement with all defendants in this lawsuit,” the filing reads. “Accordingly, all parties agree and request that the court vacate Hearing originally scheduled for June 18, 2024.”
Zillow filed suit against ARMLS, Metro MLS and MLS Aligned in December 2023. ARMLS terminated its integration with ShowingTime on December 27, and MLS Inc. followed suit in February 2024.
Zillow questioned the timing of the ARMLS and Metro MLS decisions, claiming it was an attempt to give MLS Aligned a “monopoly” in the MLS’s respective regions.
Errol Samuelson, chief industry development officer at Zillow, said in a previous Inman article: “MLS rejected all alternatives and solutions offered, leaving their agent members with no choice and leaving Giving Aligned Showings an effective monopoly in its area “As a last resort, we filed a legal complaint because we believe the conduct of these two MLSs is anti-competitive and harmful to agents and consumers in these markets. unfavorable. “
ARMLS and Metro MLS filed a motion to dismiss in February refuting Zillow’s claims, with MLS’s legal counsel arguing that the introduction of MLS Aligned would increase competition.
“In late 2023, as ShowingTime’s comprehensive service contracts ended in both regional markets, the MLS Defendants each conducted independent evaluations and determined that it was in their best interests (and the best interests of their subscriber members) to select an alternative provider to provide such alternative services. ) services,” the February filing reads. “By definition, adding new players to an already crowded market increases competition, and the MLS Defendants clearly have a financial interest in the success of the venture.”
Zillow declined to comment on the preliminary settlement, and attorneys for ARMLS and Metro MLS have not yet responded to Inman’s inquiries.
The three parties have until July 19 to complete settlement documents.
“Plaintiffs and Defendants anticipate that the settlement documents will be completed in approximately one month. Therefore, they ask the Court to postpone all deadlines to July 19, 2024,” the filing reads. “If a dismissal has not been filed by that date, the parties will file a joint report informing the court of the status of their settlement closing efforts.”
Read the full document below:
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