Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry - #4

Still in Section B of the DOJ/FTC report on competion in the real estate brokerage industry, the importance of the MLS is stated emphatically. The report states these primary elements of importance of the MLS (report quoted in italics):

Well, it looks like all parties believe the MLS is of great benefit to buyers, sellers and real estate brokers. This is the last paragraph in Section B:

Due to these significant efficiencies and procompetitive features, the Fifth Circuit held that the alleged MLS-related restrictions at issue should not be condemned as per se illegal. At the same time, the Court held that the efficiencies and benefits flowing from the MLS, combined with other factors, resulted in the MLS having market power in a relevant antitrust market, thereby simplifying the rule of reason inquiry concerning the legality of restrictions imposed by the MLS and its members.

What did they say? It sounds like the MLS is so very important that restrictions in it's rules shouldn't be declared "illegal", but the market power of the MLS makes it a fair target for scrutiny as to possible antitrust violations.

Entire series: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19 & final