U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab Tuesday approved a settlement of a class-action lawsuit alleging that area real estate players stifled competition by keeping some rival businesses from effectively marketing properties.

The case filed by Dormont homeowner Thomas L. Logue against West Penn Multilist Inc., Howard Hanna Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Freeman Realty, Northwood Realty and Prudential Preferred Realty applies to property buyers who made purchases through those businesses from Feb. 13, 2005 through Feb. 13, 2009. The case settled for $2.4 million, of which the plaintiff's attorneys will get $1 million to cover fees and costs, and Mr. Logue will get $10,000.

Court documents did not say how many buyers would share in the remaining $1.39 million, or when checks would go out. Claims from property buyers were due Oct. 14.