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Don't Touch That Copyright!

By
Real Estate Agent with Referral Patners LLC 0583719

copyrightTo the right is an image of a symbol that as Realtors® we ought to know the significance behind it. Even here in Active Rain over the years I have read post after posts of one fellow Rainer or another pointing out the importance of not infringing on someone else's copyright. The internet has brought about a proliferation of images, documents and blogs that has made it all too easy  and oh so tempting to even the most humblest of souls to copy or "borrow". Who's going to notice, right?


Warning! that is not a good idea. One such person found out recently in apile of gold bars federal case the overwhelming cost of "borrowing" the work of someone else. It cost them dearly. For the average Realtor® that cost might as well represent a pile of gold or a lifetime of work. Is it really worth it?

 

Here's a link to that story in this month's edition of Realtor® magazine. It should have everyone thinking before cutting, copying or pasting.

 

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Comments (36)

Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Which is exactly what Justice King said in the article Lisa Von Domek; thanks for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 12:50 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Sometimes I am squeamish about sharing an URL which is perfectly legal but like you said Anna Hatridge you may not know where the source came from. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 12:53 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

hi Judith Parker hope you had an opportunity to read that article; it was short but sweet. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 12:54 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

hi Gabe Sanders you must be referring to the AHRN case mentioned in the Realtor article. It is interesting and hopefully they will share a follow up to the story as the case progresses. Thank you for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 12:57 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Teral McDowell ~ now why wouldn't this apply to 3rd party aggregate websites? 

Aug 15, 2014 02:57 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

hi Jon Kolsky in the case of AHRN they are looking at syndication. It will be interesting like Gabe pointed out what the outcome might be. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 04:18 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

WOW $2.7 million for copyright infringement...I bet he doesn't make this mistake again.

Aug 15, 2014 06:24 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

No kidding! that is some fine Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® and not enough dishes to wash to clear that debt. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me.

Aug 15, 2014 12:39 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Teral McDowell - excellent advice and warning Teral! I couldn't imagine the stress involved to the agent and the Broker. It's not worth it to copy. In this business, you can't be a copycat. You must be an original or you pay the consequences. A punishment like this is not worth it!

Aug 15, 2014 02:07 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good reminder to respect the property of others. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Aug 15, 2014 10:24 PM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

hi Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Cert Negotiations Expert, Military Relo Prof being a copycat doesn't pay too well in our world of real estate. Sadly he was warned and did not take heed. Thanks for sharing with me!

Aug 16, 2014 07:51 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

hi Roy Kelley I know it serves as a great reminder to me and glad others have given it some thought too. Thanks for sharing with me. May your weekend be grand.

Aug 16, 2014 07:52 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Teral ... great post and featured to the group:

NIGHT OWLS AT ACTIVERAIN

Aug 16, 2014 08:12 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Thank you Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz for the feature. Glad you stopped by and shared with me.

Aug 16, 2014 08:39 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening Teral. I still see a lot of posts here in AR that has the watermark designating that it was copped of the internet.

Aug 16, 2014 09:46 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Agree Michael Thornton ;  I mainly notice it with clipart. Thanks for sharing with me.

Aug 16, 2014 11:33 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Teral, I have to admit that when I was new to blogging I did "borrow" Art work that I thought was free...it wasn't and quickly changed my ways once I realized my error. Now credit is given when I have permission, but mostly I try to use my own photos and art work.

Aug 16, 2014 01:49 PM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Ah, real estate has taught us not to pick off the apple tree. I still have to remind myself not to touch. Stories like this one is a great incentive to stay away from the temptation. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your coments with me Nick T Pappas.

Aug 16, 2014 03:44 PM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Oh my  . . . that happened to me once when I looked for a "free" picture.  It wasn't free. . . at least the one I took wasn't.  How embarassing and boy did I feel like a criminal.  I blogged about the eperience too, thank you for the reminder Teral.  

Sep 12, 2014 10:59 PM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Teral,  I don't use others artwork or clips. I make my own or use my own photos to get my messages across.

Sep 19, 2014 12:46 PM