Antitrust Co-Chair Harrison McAvoy was recently quoted in HousingWire‘s article, “Is Zillow a Public Utility? Attorneys Weigh In on MRED, Compass Suit,” offering his perspective on one of the most closely watched antitrust disputes currently impacting the real estate industry. The article examines Zillow’s lawsuit against Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) and Compass, a case that raises significant questions regarding competition, listing data access, and the evolving relationship between multiple listing services (MLSs) and online real estate platforms.
Drawing on his experience in antitrust and complex commercial litigation, Harrison provided insight into the broader strategic implications of the litigation. “I think one of Zillow’s primary goals with this lawsuit is to scare other MLSs so they don’t follow MRED’s lead,” Harrison said. “They want to show the MLSs that there is something to be afraid of if they pull their listing feed from Zillow.”
Harrison also discussed the competitive issues at the heart of the case, observing that MRED and Compass may have compelling arguments regarding the impact of Zillow’s policies on market competition. His commentary helps frame the larger antitrust questions surrounding market power, access to critical industry data, and the future of competition within the residential real estate marketplace.
Read the full HousingWire article here (subscription required).