Z
illow has asked the court to extend its discovery in the Compass case, citing Compass’s recent $1.6 billion purchase of Anywhere Real Estate. In a joint letter dated Oct. 1, Zillow challenged Compass’s claim that a Zillow‑issued listing ban harms the brokerage, arguing that Compass’s ability to acquire Anywhere demonstrates its strong financial position and that Zillow should be able to test Compass’s damages allegations. Zillow also requested a supplemental two‑hour deposition of Compass CEO Robert Reffkin concerning the Anywhere deal, to be scheduled by Oct. 17, and a 10‑day deadline for Compass to produce related documents. Compass rebuffed the request, labeling it “broad and burdensome” and insisting that its financial health is irrelevant to the injunction dispute; it also noted that Reffkin had already been deposed for four hours and that further questioning would merely distract him from his CEO duties.
Compass maintains that Zillow’s Listing Access Standards prevent it from executing its three‑phased marketing strategy, causing “irreversible” damage to agent and client relationships and sowing uncertainty among investors. Zillow counters that Compass’s acquisition of Anywhere shows the brokerage’s robust growth prospects, and that Zillow should be allowed to examine whether Compass disclosed any inconsistencies regarding Zillow’s listing standards during the deal. Compass points to publicly available information about the acquisition and a July 2025 board presentation indicating a drop in sellers adopting the 3PM strategy from 39 % in April to 22 % in July, attributing the decline to Zillow’s ban.
Separately, Zillow’s request for a hearing in a copyright case against CoStar was granted by Judge Edgardo Ramos on Oct. 2, with the hearing set for Oct. 15. Zillow argues that CoStar’s complaint fails to meet the necessary legal thresholds. It claims that CoStar acknowledged customers uploaded the disputed images to Zillow’s platform, which are processed automatically and not curated by Zillow. Zillow further contends that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act exempts it from monitoring user uploads, and that CoStar has not alleged any direct financial benefit from the use of its photos. Zillow also notes it does not charge for uploads, does not sell images, and does not profit from listings containing CoStar photos.
CoStar’s CEO and founder, Andy Florance, responded via email, calling Zillow’s defense a “shameful attempt to blame its own customers” and citing prior liability for mass copyright infringement, including a VHT Studios case. Florance highlighted recent FTC and state actions against Zillow, asserting that the company often disregards the law when it suits its business interests.
