Zillow vs. Compass & CoStar: Legal Disputes over Listings & Copyright

Zillow faces legal challenges from Compass regarding listing restrictions and CoStar over copyright infringement. Disputes involve Anywhere acquisition, Reffkin deposition, and photo usage. Copyright claims also by CoStar.

, as even economically audio firms can be hurt by anticompetitive conduct.”

Since Compass has revealed its possible purchase of significant property franchisor Anywhere, Zillow is asking the court to allow it to additional depose Compass CEO Robert Reffkin and to pass on files pertaining to the bargain.

CoStar’s problem also “incorrectly” suggests Zillow must recognize pictures with the CoStar watermark, despite the fact that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act states service providers don’t need to keep track of individuals for infringement, the letter asserts.

Compass Opposes Zillow’s Requests

Compass opposes ‘difficult’ requests: In the very same letter, Compass pushed back against Zillow’s requests, calling them “burdensome and broad,” and insisting that “Compass’s economic wellness is unimportant [to the court’s consideration of its initial order demand], as even economically audio companies can be damaged by anticompetitive conduct.”

Proof of influence on listing strategy: Compass keeps that Zillow currently has access to publicly-available info concerning the Anywhere purchase in addition to details Compass passed on concerning its three-phased advertising method.

Zillow says it ought to consequently be permitted to stress-test Compass’ cases and figure out if Compass divulged anything about Zillow’s listing requirements when going after the Anyplace bargain that is irregular with Compass’ claimed damages.

The letter pointed to a July 2025 board of directors presentation that noted “the percent of sellers picking to adopt 3PM has actually fallen substantially from a high of 39% in April 2025 to just 22% since July 2025” consequently of Zillow’s listings ban.

Zillow’s Defense: User Uploads and DMCA

Zillow exempt for uploads, policing consumers: Zillow states CoStar has acknowledged that clients posted the images concerned to Zillow’s website, which are after that handled through “automatic processes” and not curated by Zillow itself.

Reffkin on Zillow’s restriction: “Compass CEO Robert Reffkin testified that [its three-phased marketing method] is ‘vital to the future of Compass and its development,'” Zillow’s lawyers kept in mind in the letter.

Compass also claimed Zillow’s Listing Gain access to Standards prevent the brokerage firm “from delivering on that worth proposal” and would create “irreparable” damages to its connections with representatives and clients while creating “unpredictability and complication” among Compass’ capitalists, Zillow lawyers included.

CoStar CEO Florance Responds Sharply

CoStar’s Florance reacts: In an emailed declaration, CoStar CEO and Owner Andy Florance blew up Zillow of what he called a “disgraceful effort at fault its own consumers for its mass abuse of CoStar’s copyrighted photos.”

He pointed out that Zillow has formerly been discovered responsible for mass copyright violation, likely referring to VHT Studios’ case versus the firm, and highlighted several recent cases involving Zillow, including those filed this week by the Federal Trade Payment and a number of states– proof, states Florance, “that Zillow disregards the regulation when it fits its service rate of interests.”

Zillow asked for a court order mandating that Compass turn over the papers within 10 organization days and enable a supplemental two-hour deposition of Reffkin about the Anywhere bargain to be scheduled on or before October 17.

No ‘direct financial advantage’: CoStar does not allege Zillow obtained “any direct economic benefit” from its use of the photos, Zillow says in the letter, noting that it “does not bill individuals to upload photos and does not market photos,” neither does it “make more money if a listing has a CoStar photo.”