FC: More on Justice Dept targeting real estate site for antitrust

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[I don't know the particulars of the industry, but it's well-known in DC 
that the real estate lobby is about the most powerful and well-funded one 
around. By contrast, homestore.com doesn't appear even to have an office 
here. --Declan]

**********

From: RSTERLING () jup com
To: declan () well com
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:56:27 -0400
Subject: RE: Justice Department antitrust lawyers target real estate Web site

The fascinating thing about this article, Declan, is that the DoJ has it
COMPLETELY backwards.  The National Association of Realtors (NAR), along
with local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) run by NAR's local affiliates
(state and local boards of realtors), have commanded an effective monopoly
in real estate listings for DECADES.  The DoJ knew about it, but chose to do
nothing.  And so NOW, as the Internet weakens the MLS's by empowering real
estate agencies, franchises, chains and the individual buyers and
sellers--NOW the DoJ decides to investigate.

Go to http://www.coldwellbanker.com, or a local classifieds site like
http://realestate.boston.com, type in your zip code, and odds are you'll get
a bunch of listings.  So much for monopoly.

I wonder if they'll send in a SWAT team to do a "dynamic entry" on
Homestore?

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