Compass sues 15 MLSs over rules on office exclusive listings

Compass International Holdings has filed 15 federal lawsuits against various Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), according to HousingWire.

The lawsuits claim that these MLSs fine and punish agents who market office exclusive listings publicly without submitting them for cooperation in the MLS.

Compass argues that such MLS policies prevent sellers and their agents from choosing marketing strategies tailored to their needs, including privacy-sensitive or phased exposure campaigns.

The MLS defendants include bridgeMLS, Bay East MLS, Contra Costa MLS, MLSListings, The MLS-CLAW, San Diego MLS, Canopy MLS, Hive MLS, Doorify MLS, Arizona Regional MLS, Recolorado, NorthstarMLS, Houston Association of Realtors, Stellar MLS, and OneKey MLS.

Compass also contends that MLS boards, composed of its competitors, dictate how Compass and its agents can compete in the market.

Recently, Compass announced a ban on its employees serving in Realtor association leadership roles, though it has not clarified if this applies to non-Realtor affiliated MLSs or to brokers and agents affiliated with Compass.