Federal Judge Dismisses Antitrust Claims Against YachtWorld Owner in Online Boat Listings Dispute

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Roy Altman in the Southern District of Florida, found that the plaintiff, Brill Maritime Inc., failed to adequately allege conduct that violated federal antitrust laws. The lawsuit had claimed Boats Group used acquisitions and contractual practices to maintain dominance in the online boat-listing sector while increasing costs for brokers and dealers.

Brill Maritime, which operates as Export Yacht Sales, argued that Boats Group’s position in the market left brokers with limited alternatives and enabled the company to charge higher subscription fees for listing services. The company sought damages and injunctive relief on behalf of a proposed class of brokers and dealers.

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According to Reuters, Judge Altman concluded that the complaint did not sufficiently demonstrate that Boats Group’s acquisitions were anticompetitive or that they harmed competition rather than reflecting lawful business growth. The court noted that possessing market power alone does not constitute an antitrust violation under U.S. law.

The judge also rejected allegations that Boats Group used restrictive agreements to prevent brokers from advertising inventory on competing platforms. The decision said the contractual provisions cited in the lawsuit addressed the accuracy of listing information rather than restricting participation on rival services.

In addressing the antitrust claims, the court further found that allegations of significant price increases were not enough on their own to establish a violation. The ruling emphasized that higher prices, even if substantial, do not automatically amount to unlawful monopolization without evidence of conduct that harms competition and consumers.

The lawsuit is part of a broader legal challenge brought by Brill Maritime, which previously alleged that Boats Group controls a large share of the online boat-listing market through its portfolio of industry-focused websites. The company has argued that competitors have struggled to gain sufficient scale to challenge the platforms’ market position.

Attorneys representing Brill Maritime said they intend to file an amended complaint, a step permitted by the court’s order. Boats Group had not immediately responded to requests for comment following the decision, according to Reuters.

The case is Brill Maritime Inc. d/b/a Export Yacht Sales v. Boats Group LLC, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Source: Reuters