Another Win for Wisconsin Real Estate Consumers

FTC Charges Milwaukee Area MLS with Illegally Restraining Competition

 MetroMLS of Milwaukee, WI was recently charged with violating antitrust laws. Basically, the broker-owned MLS tried to push limited-service real estate companies out of business by not allowing those listings to be uploaded to Realtor.com and other web sites. Naturally, all listings from full-service realtors were allowed to be uploaded.

 The FTC viewed this practice to be blatantly anticompetitive. Exclusive Agency (limited service) listing contracts are perfectly legal in Wisconsin. The complaint alleged that MetroMLS acted anticompetitively by adopting rules and policies that limit the publication and marketing of certain sellers’ properties, but not others, based solely on the terms of their respective (and legal) listing contracts.

 In a clear admission of guilt, MetroMLS decided to settle with the FTC rather than fight the charges. They agreed to change their rules and allow all listings from MLS brokers to be uploaded in the same manner.

 This is another victory for real estate consumers in Wisconsin. MetroMLS acted in a collusive, devious, and anticompetitive manner for the sole purpose of trying to slow or stop the popularity of limited service listings. Thanks to the FTC’s action, real estate consumers around Milwaukee once again have the freedom to choose the best services to fit their needs without illegal interference from corporate oligarchs. 

• FTC Case Synopsis

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