Antitrust and Monopoly Claims Take Center Stage
Compass’ complaint is a legal minefield for Zillow, alleging:
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Unlawful restraint of trade
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Illegal monopoly maintenance
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Vertical and horizontal anticompetitive conduct
Compass insists Zillow’s policy has no procompetitive benefits to outweigh its market-damaging effects. With over 60% market share in the home search sector, Compass argues, Zillow’s move is less about improving user experience and more about protecting its control over the listing pipeline and revenue model.
The suit asserts that sellers who don’t comply with Zillow’s demands risk losing access to the largest audience in the housing market, making the policy an unfair chokehold on competition and consumer freedom.
Legal Firepower on Both Sides
Compass is represented by Luke Taeschler, Kenneth Dintzer, Daniel A. Sasse, and Chahira Solh of Crowell & Moring LLP. Zillow’s legal team has not been publicly disclosed, and representatives for Redfin and ExP have not commented.
