Judge Weighs Compass Bid to Freeze Zillow Listing Rule After Closing Arguments
The court set a Dec. 5 deadline for post-hearing briefs as the judge signaled doubts about a claimed Zillow–Redfin conspiracy while considering a preliminary injunction.
Overview
- An evidentiary hearing in Manhattan ran Nov. 18–21 and concluded with closing arguments on Compass’s motion to block Zillow’s Listing Access Standards pending trial.
- Zillow’s policy requires a home posted to an MLS to appear on Zillow within one business day or face suspension from listing on the platform.
- Compass seeks a preliminary injunction, arguing the rule undermines its Three‑Phased Marketing strategy and causes irreparable harm, while Zillow says the standards are pro‑competitive and prevent fragmented, private listing networks.
- Judge Jeannette Vargas pressed both sides on market definition and consumer harm, voiced skepticism that evidence supports a Zillow–Redfin conspiracy, and questioned claims about speculative or irreversible harm.
- Evidence highlighted internal Zillow discussions about a harder line on private listings and Zillow’s expert framing the case as a refusal‑to‑deal, as separate filings in Hardy v. NAR and a new class action accusing Zillow of mortgage steering underscored broader industry scrutiny.