OneKey® MLS Joins Federal Lawsuit Against Compass to Defend Cooperation and an Open, Fair Marketplace

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OneKey® MLS today joined California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS) as a plaintiff in its federal lawsuit against Compass, Inc. in the Southern District of New York. Together, the organizations are asking the court to declare that rules designed to ensure the sharing of publicly marketed listings are lawful and pro-competitive.

This action builds on OneKey MLS’s recent rejection of Compass’s demands to dismantle foundational cooperation policies. Recognizing the high stakes for the New York housing marketplace, OneKey MLS determined that direct legal action was necessary. OneKey believes that withholding inventory to just preferred brokers and buyers harms consumers by restricting buyer access, undermines fair housing objectives, and potentially limits a seller's return.

"This case raises questions that extend far beyond any one company or marketplace,” said Richard Haggerty, CEO of OneKey MLS. “They go to the core of how publicly marketed listing information is shared, how consumers access that information, and what participants should reasonably expect from a marketplace they collectively support. We believe those questions demand clarity from the court, and joining CRMLS gives OneKey a direct, active voice in securing it."

OneKey MLS believes Compass is attempting to have it both ways: extracting the benefits of a cooperative MLS marketplace while withholding its own publicly marketed properties from that same cooperative. Compass positions this as “seller choice,” but fragmenting inventory across brokerage networks makes it harder for buyers to find homes and risks limiting sellers’ exposure to potential buyers. OneKey MLS believes that true seller choice can and does exist within the framework of an open, fair, and competitive marketplace.

“I'm looking forward to working alongside OneKey MLS in the fight to protect the open marketplace and keep real estate fair and transparent for brokers, agents, and consumers alike,” said Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS.

To read the filed amended complaint and view more information on OneKey MLS’s stance on open marketplaces, please visit: https://corporate.onekeymls.com/choice-and-competition

About OneKey® MLS
OneKey MLS serves real estate professionals and consumers across the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City. With more than one million active, pending, and historical listings, we provide the trusted data that powers one of the most dynamic marketplaces in the country. Learn more about our commitment to transparency, fair housing, and innovation at https://corporate.onekeymls.com.