MLSs sue Compass in proactive move to defend cooperation rules

Six MLSs from across the country have come together to file a lawsuit against Compass International Holdings looking to prevent the real estate behemoth from filing antitrust lawsuits against them. On Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Arizona Regional MLS, Bridge MLS, Canopy MLS, REcolorado, Hive MLS, and Doorify MLS filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. This lawsuit follows one also filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York earlier this month by California Regional MLS (CRMLS) which seeks the same outcomes. As in CRMLS’s lawsuit, the MLS plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgement from the court allowing them to continue enforcing their cooperation rules and policies without violating antitrust law. Additionally, as in the CRMLS lawsuit, they are also seeking an injunction permanently barring Compass from “bringing or pursuing any claim against any MLS Party alleging that the Cooperation Rules violate the federal antitrust laws or the state antitrust laws.” In the suit, the plaintiffs argue that Compass’s desire to publicly market office exclusive or private listing properties before sharing the...