Class action lawsuit against Boats Group

Boats Group, the owner of online listing platforms Boat Trader, YachtWorld and boats.com, is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in the United States, alleging the company has stifled competition in the recreational boat sales market.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami on Thursday (Aug. 21), claims Boats Group has used subscription agreements that either bar or discourage brokers and dealers from listing vessels on rival platforms. Brill Maritime, operating as Export Yacht Sales, is the named plaintiff in the case and argues that Boats Group controls approximately 75 percent of the market for listing and marketing recreational boats. – Full report