Re: nwmls threatening fines on directory listing
This is happening in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region right now. As of September 3, 2006 no agent can refer to the MLS like: "search the MLS" and if they do they could receive stiff fines or lose the broker reciprocity data feed. There are agents in MN that are preparing a suit regarding this issue.
As for the linking, that agent requested that link text and that's why it was listed as such. If it could be shown he had no involvement in the placing of the link, I would agree to your position. As it sits right now it would be like him placing an ad in the local paper.
I agree completely with your #2. However, we have one company in Minneapolis that uses MLS in its name and advertising such that it sounds like they ARE the MLS, not a broker who participates in it. If you have no restrictions or disclaimers to its use, you could have agents/brokers that use it in such a way that it deceives the consumer and dilutes the rest of the Realtor community.
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REMINDER: Broker/Agent Web sites with “MLS” in the URL must be redirected by September 3, discontinued by December 31
Posted by
Monday, August 28, 2006
If you have "MLS" or "multiple listing service" in your Web site URL, don't forget you must have it redirected to a compliant URL by September 3rd. Please see below for redirect requirements. If you have a URL in violation of the rule that is not redirected by September 3rd, you will receive a seven-day notice to get the redirect in place. If the redirect is still not in place after seven days, your MLS access will be shut off until the redirect is put in place. Repeat violations will result in termination of MLS membership. This also applies to the disclaimer requirement for companies with "MLS" in their company name (established before March 3, 2006).
As announced in March, the RMLS rule was created to prohibit inappropriate use of the terms “MLS” and “Multiple Listing Service” by its Participants and their agents, particularly in terms of firm name and Web sites. The rule was established to protect the interests of the local real estate industry at large. Using “MLS” in member firm names and Web site URLs is inappropriate, potentially misleading to consumers and damaging to the MLS brand.
If you have a Web site with “MLS” or “Multiple Listing Service” in the URL, you have until September 3rd to redirect it to a different URL that is compliant. By December 31st, the redirect must also be discontinued. The following are the requirements of the redirect:
The redirect must be visible to the Web site visitor. They must be informed that the old URL has been discontinued, and they must click on a link on the redirect page to get to the compliant URL. An automatic/transparent redirect is not permitted.
Only text (no logos or other images) is permitted on the redirect page.
The redirect page must include one of the following disclaimers:
Broker Site: (Company name and/or website address) is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access, but is a service of (Company name), a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.
Agent Site: (Website address) is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access, but is a service of (Agent’s name), a real estate agent associated with (Company name), a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.
The font size for the Disclaimer must be no less than 75% of the largest font size appearing on the re-direct page.
In addition, Participants’ (and their agents’) Web sites and advertisements may not make any claims or statements that could lead visitors to believe they are accessing the MLS, (such as “Search the MLS”).
Brokers with “MLS” already in their firm name before March 3, 2006 are not required to change their firm name. However, they are required to include the above disclaimers on their Web site home page, any page of the Web site which searches or displays MLS data, and all advertisements.
If you have any questions about this rule or how to comply, contact the NorthstarMLS Rules & Regulations department at 651-251-3200.
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