This is a question that has increasingly come up from members of the ActiveRain community. Who owns the content that has been published to ActiveRain? The short answer is...

The person who published the content whether it's a blog post, a comment, a picture or a video owns the content (providing they were the owner in the first place).

We see ourselves as a forum and publishing tool for real estate professionals. In the future we plan to create syndication relationships with 3rd party media outlets allowing our members to get the widest reach possible for their message. We believe that we create a lot of value for our members by providing these channels. With that in mind we want to make sure the control is in the members hands about where the content ultimately gets published, whether it's localism or a 3rd party partner site. If any member feels it's no longer in their interest to have their content on the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, they are always free to delete it.

This ActiveRain community is built upon the foundations of trust and transparency with our members. We know full well what would occur if this trust was violated.

Update: The Terms of Service outlining this is now available...

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75 Comments on Who owns the content on ActiveRain?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
29
2007
Outside Blog

"The person who published the content whether it's a blog post, a comment, a picture or a video owns the content (providing they were the owner in the first place).

We see ourselves as a forum and publishing tool for real estate professionals." 

It will interesting to see if that is what MOVE thought they were buying.  

11:55am • #56
297,841 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Would you mind providing some specific examples of how we might use the content?  I will comment on each example type.  That might lead to some greater specification

In a sale of the entire platform to, say...Zillow.com 

As a SEO-enhancer for an up and coming online brokerage; a syndicated blog feed for say...Redfin.com

In a revenue sharing agreement as a feed for say...Trulia.com

  

 

1:13pm • #57
184,012 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Brian and Jonathan: It would seem that the author might be given the opportunity to opt in or out of syndication with a particular vendor.

Zillow? Probably.

Redfin? Not unless I could choose the articles:-)

Trulia?: Probably. 

If none of it makes sense, authors can delete their blog articles on Active Rain. (Can you do so on other blogging platforms?) If one wishes to make direct income from blogging activities, there are plenty of places to go.

I would love the opportunity to do targeted syndication and would welcome the opportunity to broaden my audience and client base.

 

 

2:20pm • #58
297,841 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I would love the opportunity to do targeted syndication and would welcome the opportunity to broaden my audience and client base.

Aha!  Good points, Roberta.  However, you give up the write to pick and choose how and which content is distributed by Active Rain unless you specifically delete articles that you don't want to se seen.

Let me give you an example.  If active Rain were to establish a feed with redfin, I'd use this article to show how full-service agents really didn't like to work with discounters (it's all in the comments).

If I were, Bankrate,  trying to show how mortgage originators won't disclose yield Spread, I'd definitely use this article 

Both would be an inaccurate depiction of how you and I do business but it wouldn't matter.  Without control of your content, it can be used to augment business models that are not consistent with our thinking.

and we can't say that the boys at Active Rain would never do that, they already have tried to get into bed with a company most members don't respect.

3:22pm • #59
Where is the Terms of Use page???? I Googled for it and can't find it.
Athol Kay www.reagentinct.com
5:28pm • #60
Outside Blog

"I would love the opportunity to do targeted syndication and would welcome the opportunity to broaden my audience and client base."

You can still do that. And the syndicaters can just as easily cut rev share deals with people like you and Brian, as opposed to AR, for less than what AR would want. You would remain in control of your content as well. 

"you give up the write to pick and choose how and which content is distributed by Active Rain"

This is an excellent point and begs the question, "Who will pick and choose?".

"Where is the Terms of Use page????"

There isn't one that spells out user content. That's the problem. 

 

6:33pm • #61
209,847 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
It is good to know that you still believe that we own our data.
6:54pm • #62
1,091,596 Points 57 Featured Posts

"Aha!  Good points, Roberta.  However, you give up the write to pick and choose how and which content is distributed by Active Rain unless you specifically delete articles that you don't want to se seen."

Brian, that's the plan is we want to let members pick where content gets distributed.  We know full well the reaction if we just decided to syndicate the content which is very valuable to our members somewhere without their permission, we'd have a revolt on our hands.  So why would we do it?

We've always been very sensitive to the relationship between members, our content, and us, and that's not going to change in the future.  And any companies we've have business discussions with in the past and in the future have always had to accept this reality.

11:49pm • #64
SEP
30
2007

Matt,

Thank you for posting this and engaging in Q&A. I think that is all we really want, to have our concerns addressed.

I posted Are You Worth $60,000? and all I really wanted is this discussion. But I had to go to Bloodhound Blog to find it. Why not a group email to all members when something this important is being discussed?

Bill Roberts

9:58am • #65
953,352 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Matt, thanks you for the post!  Since I write for www.RealtyTimes.comI was curious about content rights etc... Thank you so much for the  explanation!
3:57pm • #66
OCT
01
2007
1,157,918 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Matt -I really appreciated the explanation.  I was positive that this was the answer that would be given.
7:22am • #67
4 Featured Posts

That is good to know.  I have seen this asked several times but not seen it answered so clearly. 

4:13pm • #68
OCT
02
2007

So does this mean that we "should" or "shouldn't" add a "copywrite" blurb on the bottom of our posts?  I've been toying with this idea,  but haven't really come up with a reason to do (or not do) so.

3:40pm • #69
OCT
03
2007
738,077 Points 231 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Matt.... I think you have said this from day one....  I am sure it's not easy from your side and others that are part of your staff, keeping up with all of this. No matter the differences that we have had in the past, you all have done an excellent job. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention again. 

                                                                                                                jeff belonger

12:00pm • #70
OCT
08
2007
322,630 Points 14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Thanks for reassuring news and perspective, Matt.  When one has dozens of articles and hundreds of photos out, this is good to know.
11:55am • #71
1,091,596 Points 57 Featured Posts

Jeannie, you can add the copyright blurb to the bottom of you're post if you want, it may help if a spam site tries to rip off the content, but technically you don't need to add it for your content to be copyrighted.

 Update: The complete Terms of Service legally outlining this can now be found at, http://activerain.com/action/default/terms_of_service

 

4:03pm • #72
OCT
09
2007
Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate the information.
1:56am • #73
NOV
12
2007
1,377,926 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Howdy

Thank you for posting the clarification of this.

Have a good one

4:10pm • #74
NOV
18
2007
120,304 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Thank You for the information......now I know   loud and clear
9:07pm • #75

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