Hello,
I am reaching out to share an exciting litigation update. As you are aware, REX (Real Estate Exchange, Inc.) filed an antitrust lawsuit in March 2021 against Zillow, Trulia and NAR, taking issue with Zillow’s decision to distinguish between properties listed on the MLS vs. those that are not.
A federal judge in the Western District of Washington granted NAR’s motion for Summary Judgment, effectively dropping the litigation against NAR involving REX. We are pleased with the court’s decision and its recognition that the allegations in this case do not have merit.
What this means for the litigation:
The plaintiffs might appeal the decision. However, this is a positive and encouraging development for REALTORS® and the entire real estate industry.
What this means for you:
We will keep you informed of any notable litigation milestones, but in the meantime, I encourage you and your members to continue to refer to the competition.realtor website, which provides a comprehensive overview and suite of materials related to how REALTORS® and the local MLS broker marketplaces benefit consumers.
We recommend also reviewing a summary of ongoing litigation involving NAR from RISMedia, where Katie Johnson stresses the importance of winning in the court of public opinion as the industry addresses the legal challenges ahead.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Lesley
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Lesley M. Muchow
General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs & Antitrust Compliance
lmuchow@nar.realtor