Zillow, Compass, MRED File Post-Hearing Briefs in MLS Data Lawsuit

Legal proceedings in the lawsuit between Zillow, Compass, and Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) continued this week with the submission of competing post-hearing briefs. Zillow alleges an "unlawful conspiracy" by Compass and MRED to revoke its access to Chicagoland listing data, while the defendants contend that any harm to Zillow is "self-inflicted." These filings follow a two-day hearing concerning Zillow's motion for a preliminary injunction that would halt MRED from suspending its listing data feeds to the online portal.

In a 48-page supplemental brief, Zillow asserted that MRED and Compass International Holdings collaborated to obstruct Zillow's Listing Access Standards, which aim to prevent private listing networks from withholding properties from public view. Zillow's filing accuses MRED, in conjunction with Compass, of altering its display rules to target Zillow's standards and create a justification for terminating its data feed access. The company also claims that the defendants terminated or discouraged Zillow's direct broker feeds, removing its sole alternative source for Chicagoland listings.

Zillow further alleged that MRED and Compass formed an alliance where Compass "laundered its failed private exclusive listings through MRED," purportedly triggering a violation of MRED's rules to justify terminating Zillow's feed access. Attorneys for Zillow referenced an October 2025 email from Compass CEO Robert Reffkin, which urged multiple Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) to "discipline" Zillow by ending its feed access if its standards were not "immediately repealed." Zillow also stated that Compass terminated direct broker feed agreements across the country and that MRED cautioned its members against providing Zillow with direct feeds.

The company argued that losing access to MRED's feeds, which encompass nearly all Chicagoland listings, would result in irreparable harm and initiate a "downward spiral" of lost audience engagement and market share. Judge John Tharp Jr. is currently reviewing the arguments and will decide on the injunction, with replies to the new briefs due on Monday.