Email regarding my website www.modesto-realtor.com. I will keep you up to date on the new domain name once I finalize it. Suggestions are welcomed. This feels kind of like finding a new name for a new baby...
Dear Irene Lai-Chan:
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS has identified the Internet domain name, modesto-realtor.com, as one in which the membership marks of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (National Association) are used as a part of the domain name. We discovered the domain name in our routine monitoring of the Internet for use of the REALTOR membership marks. The National Association requests that you comply with the rules developed by the National Association to preserve and protect the Membership marks and discontinue using the modesto-realtor.com domain name. You may review these rules at the National Association's website, REALTOR.org in the Law & Policy section.
Proper use of the Marks on the Internet
The terms REALTOR, REALTORS, REALTOR ASSOCIATE, as well as the REALTOR with Block "R" logo, are all federally registered collective membership marks owned exclusively by the National Association. Collective membership marks are a type of trademark which, rather than indicating the source of a product or service, identify the user of the membership mark as a member of a particular group, in this case the National Association.
The National Association has approximately 1,200,000 members each of whom is licensed to use one or more of the membership marks to identify themselves and as Members individually and through their real estate businesses. Each member of the National Association agrees, as a part of their local Association's Bylaws, to abide by the rules governing the use of the REALTOR marks. These rules apply to print and electronic media. In a domain name the National Association allows members to use the REALTOR marks with a member's name and, if the member is a broker, with the complete name of the broker's real estate firm. Below are examples of proper ways in which a member can use the REALTOR marks in a domain name.
JohnDoeRealtor.com, JDoeRealtor.com, JohnRealtor.com, ABCRealtyRealtors.com
Incorrect use of the REALTOR Marks
Please review Article V, Section 7 of the Bylaws of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. This article expressly prohibits the use of any descriptive words or phrases from being used with the Membership marks. Ms. Lai-Chan, this includes geographical descriptions, only the state and local boards and associations were granted the right, by the Board of Directors, to use a geographical description with the membership marks.
Action Requested: Change Domain Name
The National Association requests that you stop using the modesto-realtor.com domain name including, but not limited to, use of the domain name on the Internet or on promotional and advertising materials for your business; or to redirect traffic to another website. You may of course, register and use a new domain name that uses the REALTOR mark in a manner which complies with the rules of the National Association or select one which does not use the REALTOR marks.
Because you are a member of the National Association and understand the importance of protecting the valuable REALTOR marks we are confident you will make the right decision and end your use of the modesto-realtor.com domain name. We request that you promptly contact us and assure that you will comply with this request. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Mary Newill, Trademark Administrator
Legal Affairs Department
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
430 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611-4087
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