Zillow Group Inc. lost a significant antitrust battle regarding access to real estate listings in the Chicago area. US District Judge John Tharp Jr. dissolved a previous order that had temporarily mandated Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), the multiple listings service for the Chicagoland area, to continue providing Zillow with access to its listings. This ruling effectively allows MRED to cut off Zillow's data feed.
Judge Tharp's decision also directed Zillow to engage in private arbitration concerning its listings contract dispute with MRED. Zillow had previously filed an antitrust lawsuit against MRED and Compass International Holdings, alleging conspiracy to harm competition. While claims against MRED are now moving to arbitration, the claims against Compass will continue, with some reports indicating they are paused pending the arbitration outcome with MRED.
This ruling follows a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Tharp two days after MRED had briefly cut off Zillow's data feed in May 2026, leading to a significant drop in available Chicago listings on Zillow's platform. Zillow had sought a preliminary injunction to prevent MRED from severing the feed permanently, arguing that MRED and Compass coordinated to undermine consumers and competition. However, the court found that Zillow had not sufficiently demonstrated antitrust injury or a likelihood of success on its antitrust claims.
Zillow expressed disappointment with the ruling but maintained its commitment to proving its claims that MRED and Compass conspired to harm competition. MRED and Compass, conversely, viewed the decision as a victory for consumers, real estate professionals, and brokerages, affirming the principle that choice belongs to the homeowner. The move to private arbitration means that many future developments in the dispute will occur outside public scrutiny.
