CoStar Accuses Zillow of Systematic Copyright Infringement Over Property Photos

August 2, 2025 - 00:08

CoStar has filed a federal lawsuit against Zillow, alleging that the popular real estate platform has systematically infringed on copyright by using over 47,000 property photographs without proper authorization. The lawsuit claims that many of the images in question bear CoStar's watermark, indicating their ownership and protection under copyright law.

This legal action highlights ongoing tensions in the real estate industry regarding the use of digital content. CoStar argues that Zillow's practices not only undermine the value of their proprietary images but also threaten the integrity of intellectual property rights in the digital marketplace.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged infringements and aims to hold Zillow accountable for its actions. As the case unfolds, it could have significant implications for how real estate platforms handle copyrighted content and the responsibilities they have towards content creators in the industry. The outcome may set a precedent for future disputes over digital copyright in the real estate sector.