Politech mailing list archives
FC: More on Justice Dept targeting real estate site for antitrust
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 15:16:25 -0400
[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? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology To subscribe, visit http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- FC: More on Justice Dept targeting real estate site for antitrust Declan McCullagh (Apr 26)