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Sarasota Association of Realtors - SAR | TheSarasotaMLS.com Is History | Maybe You're Next

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale

Marc Rasmussen's WebsiteA friend of mine, Marc Rasmussen, lost his domain name recently. The members of the Sarasota MLS board took it upon themselves to make sure he no longer has rights to his domain of several years, TheSarasotaMLS.com because the domain has "MLS" within the name. Oh, and let's not forget that Marc's site was and is beating all of the board member's sites, plus the association's site for the search phrase "sarasota mls." But that surely wasn't at issue, right? Marc won his case with the NAR, but lost his domain with ICANN. You can read the details here.

No MLS.comFrom the NAR's mission statement: "The core purpose of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is to help its members become more profitable and successful." Where's the NAR now?

Next up is major league soccer (MLS). I understand the NAR and the Sarasota MLS are going after them. Oh crap, I forgot, only members of the NAR are prohibited from using "mls" in their domain name. Anyone else can!

No SARjacking!Related: Marc Rasmussen v. Sarasota Association of Realtors, Inc. | Inman News Response | Resource

Oh, did ya see this? The SAR MLS hokie pokie!

Follow this on Bloodhound, as well!

Comments (113)

Anonymous
Anonymous

Have you been following the dialog over on AgentGenius?

Regardless I just registered AnnArborAreaMLS.com  tee hee

Oct 20, 2008 12:06 PM
#96
Anonymous
knox

@Benjamin Clark

It's not a "baseless claim of jealousy".  He was targeted becasue he was outperforming them. Though not the root for appeal alone, it's clear SAR was trying to absorb Marc's authority in search and not just the eradication the domain.  Otherwise, a redirect would have satisfied them.  Also, SAR CEO made the effort to mention "unfair advantage" in Google becasue of the domain.  That doesn't cause you to wonder about her INTENTION?

Just like "What is SPAM"  Sites Placed Above Mine.  But Marc isn't a spammer - so they resorted to a legal hijack.  The issue isn't baseless.  What was underestimated is Marc's friend base and that those in similar situations (realtors needing their websites to make a living) are becoming aware of this tactic.  Helen won the battle, fine.  Her defense is transparent and her enemies grow hourly.  She looks like she's weathered some storms in the past, maybe she's up to this one.  I'm sure Mr. Attorney Cherry would love to work on this chasing every occurance of Helen's grievance.  It will drain her their and casue her to spend so much SAR money that she'll be ousted from the inside.  All the while ruining her own name and company.  Their newly acquired domain has just as good a chance of survival.

Time, money, energy and reputaion spent.  Congrats SAR!

Marc's plight will be iconic and a reminder that she went too far, became too petty and made a mistake.  She'll be reminded every day when she sees his site above hers.  He'll dip after the transfer but do you think her new domain's links will remain?  That a link removal communiation will not occur coupled with the true story?

"Baseless claims" have nothing to do with it outside the poser courts.  What did he know and when did he know it?  That's the burden.  He registered the domain long ago on the advise of their sponsored publication.  Ex Post Facto.

Nice letters and open requests to thugs like this never work - it empowers them.   Give her what she wants, EXPOSURE. 

I'll put the first dollar in the proverbial tip jar.

I hereby pledge $100 to Marc's legal expenses to fight.  Any takers?  There are plenty of realtors out there that can be victimized if this mentality gains momentum.  Hit a thousand bucks and I'll give another.  By then you've got the voice.

Marc - set up a paypal account and gimme the email address.  I'll organize it if you want.  Win your domain and let their treatment of their members ring loud across the country.

Oct 20, 2008 06:09 PM
#97
Anonymous
Knox

Oh, yes I am aware Kthy at SAR writes as "SAR CEO".  I mention Helen as President becasue, well.. read it: 

“I want to use my year as president to encourage our members to be more cooperative, and more professional in our dealings with one another. We all have the same inventory of properties to sell, and it’s more important than ever in the current market that we all work together and maintain our professionalism.”

Oct 20, 2008 10:22 PM
#98
Judy Orr
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale AZ and surrounding towns

Knox, if Marc opens that Paypal account I will also donate $100 toward his legal defense. 

Oct 21, 2008 02:35 AM
Anonymous
knox

He did, and thanks for the help!!

Now, just need to get everyone to it;)

Oct 21, 2008 06:13 AM
#100
Colleen Lane
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Kennewick, WA
Realtor(r) 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

Knox, Perhaps a Paypal address for Marc is in order?  If you're reading this, Marc?

With this comment, this thread officially reaches the 100 comment mark!  :)

Oct 21, 2008 06:33 AM
Anonymous
Knox

The account is ready and receiving donations at my blog

www.ebaspace.com

The account is in Marc's name (we chatted this morning) and the account is called SARjacking.

Oct 21, 2008 06:41 AM
#102
Colleen Lane
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Kennewick, WA
Realtor(r) 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

Knox, Let me re-post the url to make it click-able:

Marc Rasmussen SAR Legal Fund Donation

Oct 21, 2008 08:56 AM
New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ

This whole situation is such a shame.  I cannot believe that a Board of REALTORS like the Sarasota Board of REALTORS could be allowed to be so out of control.

Oct 21, 2008 09:23 AM
Colleen Lane
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Kennewick, WA
Realtor(r) 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

A very sad thing just happened within the past hour or so.  The SAR obtained Marc's domain and has forwarded it to their Association;s website.  In other words, SAR took years of work by Marc and simply took it all for the benefit of their own website.  Once the search engines sort this out, and until Marc regains search engine positioning with his new domain, each of the board members personal sites have just moved up a spot in the search engine rankings.

I have to say, this is truly bothering me.  With the redirect in place, the full impact of this is hitting home with me.  I know how much time I've put into my website and I've only been doing this for a couple years.  Marc, on the other hand, has been doing this for quite a bit longer.  And, Marc is ranking (was, and hopefully will be) in a much more competitive market. 

This is truly unbelievable that SAR can stop the use of the domain, AND take it and the work that has gone into it. 

Oct 21, 2008 02:45 PM
New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ

What a travisty of Justice, I cannot believe that IICAN would allow this to happen.

Oct 21, 2008 02:56 PM
New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ

I guess Mark will have to sue the Sarasota Board of REALTORS for damages now.  Would be great if he could take 10 or 15 million out of their hides.

Oct 21, 2008 02:57 PM
Anonymous
knox

Everyone donate to his legal expenses!!!!   NUDGE;)

Oct 21, 2008 03:41 PM
#108
Colleen Lane
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Kennewick, WA
Realtor(r) 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

In case you haven't seen it, check Cal's post out!  ;)

Oct 23, 2008 12:34 AM
Anonymous
harumpa

I just donated $100 to the legal fund. I am sick to my stomach. Is this what all of our hard work comes to? Defeated by the has beens, the never weres, and hacks? I think these CEO and staff members really need to have their heads examined. HomeGain is their partner and consulted over at NAR and revel in their MLS.com domain. These actions aren't looking out for the interest of the Public or of the Assoc. Members. This is anti-trust behavior against the innovators-- supported by NAR. When are they going to learn their lesson --DOJ?

Oct 23, 2008 10:07 AM
#110
Debbie Durkee
National Land Realty - Tulsa, OK
ALC, CRS -- Land & Country Estates near Tulsa

I have two Masters degrees:  A Masters in Divinity or (M.Div.) and a Masters in Library Science (or M.L.S).

When I first got into real estate again three years ago and did not have any fancy certifications, I put my degrees after my name:  Deborah M. Solano, M.L.S., M.Div.  Boy did I get grief over that.  I guess the best argument was that it was misleading to the public (not to mention somewhat irrelevant).

I no longer put my Masters degrees after my name, although lately with all the short sales I am doing I am thinking of putting the M.Div. back, since counseling desperate sellers is a seems to be a lot like ministry.

Oct 26, 2008 05:04 PM
Colleen Lane
Kennewick Richland (and West) Pasco WA Homes For Sale - Kennewick, WA
Realtor(r) 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com

Watch out Debbie, you're next on SAR's list.  lol 

Oct 26, 2008 05:41 PM
Winter Baserva
Seasons Realty Group of Atlanta Communities - Atlanta, GA
Realtor -Homes For Sale, Atlanta, GA

It's not surprising. I love how the MLS let's REALTOR.COM take our listings and broadcast them out to everyone without OUR permission, but his website was killed for FREE promotion for them.

Crazy.

Oct 30, 2008 02:35 AM
Tony Sena
Shelter Realty, Inc - Henderson, NV
Broker/Property Manager

I really hope he wins his lawsuit and they have to give him back the domain so he can redirect it back to his new site!

Oct 30, 2008 11:16 AM
Cal Carter
Keller Williams Realty Alabama Gulf Coast - Gulf Shores, AL

http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/sarasota/sarasota-association-of-realtors-says-august-2008-sees-continuation-of-summer-sales-slowdown/show/

Nov 19, 2008 11:07 AM