The lawsuit, initiated by a group of yacht sellers, claimed that the International Yacht Brokers Association, along with Boat Trader, Yacht World and Boats Group LLC - the operator of Boats.com - had violated antitrust laws. It alleged that these entities compelled sellers into paying a 10% commission on the sale price of vessels, a fee split between the agents representing each party in the transaction.
When I saw the reference to Michael Moore as the judge, I had to read it again. What are the chances that a well-known maritime attorney and a judge ruling on a maritime case share the same name?
I did not realize they are two different Michael Moore's. Good to know. Give the judges decision more credibility. I hired MM the atty a few times years ago. A bit OT but I sold a Bertram 50 maybe 20 years ago in Miami. I ran it up to Several hbr after closing. The new owner flew in with his buddies and the boat was stickered (impounded) by the Sheriff. Yikes. The bill to rebuild the DD was never paid. Atty Moore fixed it.
Michael Moore is a friend to this forum. He recently represented us when a pathetic yacht broker reported us to the Florida DBPR for engaging in yacht sales without being licensed. Because our service is simply a fee-based classified listing, the DBPR dismissed it.