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
Where are the copyrights? Copyrights in MLS listing content Part I
UPDATE: Link to second part of this series.With RPR now on the scene seeking to license listing data from essentially every MLS in the country, Brian and I figured it was a good time to review the way … Read more about Where are the copyrights? Copyrights in MLS listing content Part I
Offer spamming
Imagine you are a real estate broker, and you receive an email like this: From: Mystery Investment Company, LLC. To: YOU Subject: Offer To Purchase LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE 123 Elm Street [the … Read more about Offer spamming
REALTORS® Property Resource: A possible business model?
I have had numerous conversations with folks regarding the REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR), NAR's multi-million dollar initiative shrouded in secrecy. Until now, my view has been that there is no … Read more about REALTORS® Property Resource: A possible business model?
Bonuses and Conditions on MLS Offers of Compensation
Ok, so I posted earlier about why I think bonus offers are bad PR for the industry. But it is also unclear to me whether bonus offers can be allowed in MLS. Policy background If we take the example … Read more about Bonuses and Conditions on MLS Offers of Compensation
Bonus offers in MLS are bad PR for the industry
This post and the next are revised versions of posts I did on my short-lived ActiveRain blog a couple years ago. They came to mind because of an Inman column by Teresa Boardman two weeks ago regarding … Read more about Bonus offers in MLS are bad PR for the industry
Cybersquatting on brokers’ names (Potential CMLS topic 2)
(Note: Shelley Specchio is CEO of the Northern Nevada Regional MLS, Inc., a host of the CMLS Conference in Lake Tahoe, September 30 – October 2. She and I have been discussing topics for the legal … Read more about Cybersquatting on brokers’ names (Potential CMLS topic 2)