During the last year, ride-hailing and apartment-sharing companies Uber, Lyft and Airbnb have had a significant economic impact upon New York City’s car service industry,1 inspiring both opposition from the yellow taxi industry and competition from new ride sharing companies such as “Chariot for Women,”2 and the hotel industry which recently issued a report3 discussing a wide range of New York City lodging industry impacts that exist due to the existence of Airbnb and estimated a $2 billion negative impact.4 Uber may now have the market power to drive its competitors out of business5 by dramatically reducing its driver’s fees although not without protest from drivers.6
While Airbnb, Uber and Lyft are immensely popular with consumers7 worldwide their existence in any given locale is problematic. In some cities these sharing economy juggernauts are banned8; in others they are limited and subject to an occasional riot9; and in others they are welcomed with open arms.10 As Airbnb, Lyft and Uber have evolved from revolutionaries of the sharing economy to nearly accepted transportation and short-term rental institutions, so too have the number and scope of lawsuits brought against them.
