Compass Equates NWMLS’ MLS Ownership Structure to Monopoly — RISMedia

Compass—already engaged in a major lawsuit against listing giant Zillow—is continuing to aggressively push forward with a separate antitrust lawsuit against Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), with arguments that could have implications for MLSs across the nation.

According to Compass, Seattle-area home sellers contracted with Compass earlier this year to premarket their properties under its three-phased marketing strategy, but this was abruptly put to a halt by NWMLS—effectively blocking them, and any other brokers offering premarketing, in the Seattle market.

In a 29-page court document filed Monday, Compass argues that NWMLS, and the brokers who own and control it, are boycotting any brokers who offer home sellers the option to market a…