For years, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) blocked access to its multiple listing service, preventing online real estate agents from access to home listings. No longer. The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division settled today a 2005 lawsuit claiming that the NAR's practice was anticompetitive. DOJ says the settlement will lead to more competition and lower commissions. NAR admits no liability and calls the settlement a "win-win."

As a side note, NAR claims a trademark in the word "Realtor," so online competitors will still have to call themselves something else.

[via New York Times]

Cross-posted from Consumer Law & Policy Blog