The worst offender seizing content? Would you believe your own MLS?
MLS stealing listing information??? I don't believe so.
Read Richard's thoughtful post. However, I see this quite differently. Our MLS has the same clause.
IMO, what they're saying is "LISTING CONTENT" belongs to the MLS, which is a warning to other agents that the listing CONTENT is copyright protected and agents cannot take that content and use it.
The listing broker still owns the right to advertise that property. However, neither they nor anyone else can use the "LISTING CONTENT" reflect in the MLS listing information report.
If the listing agent provides a photo they took, the copyright for that photo still belongs to the agent who took the photo, EXCEPT as it is included in the MLS listing information report.
Real estate agents and brokers beware! Your MLS has probably recently changed its terms of service and is now taking OWNERSHIP of your content.
With all of the cyberbuzz about FaceBook seizing the posted content as its own, few realize that this attitude towards the intellectually property of others is pervasive throughout the real estate purview.
From the Georgia MLS:
Listing content including, but not limited to, photos, images, drawings, graphics and virtual tours related to listed property become the property of Georgia MLS at the time of submission.
Note that this is not a revocable license to use and distribute the work. It is the forfeiture of ANY claim to ownership.
If you ask me, it is thievery under duress.
But fear not, the MLS as we know it is on the way out anyway. This last ditch effort to resell our hard work is just another nail in the coffin.
And it can’t happen fast enough for me.
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Comments(7)