We don’t often represent MLS vendors. There are exceptions. The primary basis for an exception is when the MLS vendor’s interest very closely aligns with MLSs’. This is one of those times. We are … Read more about Change the game
Sleeping with the enemy? No… Well, maybe just a kiss?
OK, the enemy metaphor is a bit strong, but service providers in the real estate technology industry often ask our firm for legal and other advice. Most of our firm’s clients are REALTOR® … Read more about Sleeping with the enemy? No… Well, maybe just a kiss?
Is first-in-time first-in-right? Maybe
MLSs sometimes face the following scenario: Broker A puts a listing record into the MLS relating to 123 Elm Street. Broker B either (a) also puts in a listing record for the same property after Broker … Read more about Is first-in-time first-in-right? Maybe
Copyright ownership of MLS listings – a refresher
There are new industry grumblings of websites infringing MLS and broker copyrights. We have received several emails regarding the alleged infringement, and I am communicating with one website owner on … Read more about Copyright ownership of MLS listings – a refresher
NAR IDX Policy proposals in Anaheim
This post is by Larson/Sobotka attorney and consultant Elizabeth Sobotka. This post discusses proposals to change NAR policy regarding how and where MLS participants may display IDX data. The … Read more about NAR IDX Policy proposals in Anaheim
A quick and dirty discussion of defensive .xxx registration
The post below is written by Mitch Skinner, the lawyer who joined our firm earlier this year. He's been crazy busy doing data licensing agreements for MLSs (CoreLogic, RPR, etc.) over the summer but … Read more about A quick and dirty discussion of defensive .xxx registration
Update on the CIVIX issue
Like many folks in the industry, we've spent the first couple days of this week looking over the final documents that embody the deal NAR struck with CIVIX last week. The final documents had terms … Read more about Update on the CIVIX issue
A Listing Syndication Discussion
Updated Feb 16, 2011: Revision to definition to address IDX Additions are underlined, deletions struck through. There has been a great deal of talk and writing lately about MLS/broker listing … Read more about A Listing Syndication Discussion
MLSs and brokers infringing copyrights?
Dashing off a quick post tonight.Elizabeth wrote earlier this year about the basics of copyright. But she was writing from the perspective of protecting MLS and broker copyrights. Today, I'm concerned … Read more about MLSs and brokers infringing copyrights?
Can a real estate broker post another broker’s listings on Facebook?
Facebook and other social networking websites are increasingly popular not only for individual personal use, but also for business relationships. Real estate brokers can easily make connections with … Read more about Can a real estate broker post another broker’s listings on Facebook?
Copyrights in facts and copyright licenses: Copyrights in MLS listing content Part II
As I explained in my last post, ownership in the copyrights in the data content in an MLS is 'scattered' in most MLSs: The MLS (or perhaps its MLS vendor or both jointly) owns the copyright in the … Read more about Copyrights in facts and copyright licenses: Copyrights in MLS listing content Part II
Brokers’ rights to control uses of their data and the RPR license agreement
Elizabeth has begun a series of posts about copyrights in MLS content. I believe another in that series is coming out tomorrow.With this post, I want to point out another basis of rights in listing … Read more about Brokers’ rights to control uses of their data and the RPR license agreement