Ethics & The Golden Rule

Homesurfer · #**1 Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 03:36 PM

ETHICS.

Whenever the National Association of Realtors runs an ad talking about the superiority of Realtors, they talk about the "strict code of ethics." Yet in the forums, Realtors ask "should I do this, should I do that," and some don't even ask.

The Golden Rule.

Ethics is easy. It says right in the Code of Ethics preamble that the code is based on the Golden Rule.

Should you copy someone else's stuff and put it on your site without permission? Would you want someone to copy your site without permission and put it on their site?

That's how easy it is to determine the ethical thing to do. Turn it around and ask if you would want someone to do it to you.

webmaster · #**2 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 03:39 PM

I finally started on my terms of service for REW - Here is how it starts

Quote:

If you are a new user of the Real Estate Webmasters website and / or a new customer taking advantage of our great web development offerings, products or services we highly recommend that you read the following terms of service very carefully.
Intellectual Property Theft
If you did not create it, pay for it's creation or have written permission to use it, DO NOT post it on your website or ours.

For all users of Real Estate Webmasters websites and social networking portals: It is unlawful to copy and any graphical or written work and publish it to your own website, blog or any portion of http://www.realestatewebmasters.com (With the exception of instances covered by Fair Use) Real Estate Webmasters has a zero tollerance policy for blatant copyright infringement and if provided with proof of such infringements the illegally reproduced materials will be removed from your website or blog at your expense. Further infractions may result in a non refundable cancellation of any and all services as well as a permanent ban from the Real Estate Webmasters community.

Most importantly - "If you did not create it, pay for it's creation or have written permission to use it, DO NOT post it on your website or ours."

coastal · #**3 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 06:27 PM

I agree 100% but what brought this on? Is someone we know at this moment copying something they should not be?

jessiesc · #**4 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 07:58 PM

yeah, spill the beans. What are we missing

Homesurfer · #**5 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 10:37 PM

You're not missing anything. There was a parallel thread on the topic of coyping content. Instead of adding to that thread, I started my own. It's always been a hot topic with me because before I sold realestateabc.com, I was probably the "most copied" real estate author on the web. Now I'm still the "most copied" but I don't own realestateabc.com anymore.

I know. It sounds like I'm exaggerating about being the "most copied"...

So I'll do a quick search on an obscure phrase.

These are the cheaters found only in the first three pages of Google results for just one phrase, just a quick search, and I've written LOTS of stuff...

http://. loggerheadrealty.com/buyers.php
http://. thehouseguy.net/before_you_buy.htm
http://. move2pinehurst.com/buyers.html
http://host1. bondware.com/~nashvillehomes/news.php?viewStory=16
http://. christinawhipple.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29
http:// thecalpro.com/bt.htm
http://. yourarizonaluxuryhomes.com/pages/thingsnottodopage.htm
http://www. jodygrubbs.com/For_Buyers_Only.jsp
http:// paylessinterestrate.com/home_buying_tips.html
http://. superiorrealtyandlending.com/home_buying_tips.html
http://. settlementonehosting.com/home_buying_tips.html
http:// mortgagewisefunding.com/home_buying_tips.html
http:// cumberlandhomesinfo.com/2007/01/
http://. greathomesgeorgia.com/dontbuycar.htm

Of course, I don't "own" those articles anymore, but it shows you why I consider it an issue --

-- so I just want to hammer home that copying is BAD. My entire carreer on the web has been to help agents market themselves. I never ran Google ads, I never posted listings, I genuinely worked for the benefit of my clients. You guys. I've been "stuck" in "not working" mode for a year and a half because I'm trying to figure out if it is worth continuing in the real estate field or if I should branch out into something new....

darrenwoodard · #**6 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 10:47 PM

I see so many unethical money hungry Realtors that are afraid of a little hard work. I have been a Realtor for three years and people do stuff to me everyday that I would never imagine doing to someone else.

What is the best tool to see if people are jacking your content? Right now, I am using google alerts. Is there any other way? I am not sure if they are catching content from all of my search phrases; just Myrtle Beach Real Estate.

Homesurfer · #**7 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenwoodard

What is the best tool to see if people are jacking your content? Right now, I am using google alerts. Is there any other way? I am not sure if they are catching content from all of my search phrases; just Myrtle Beach Real Estate.

You cannot copyright a search term or search phrase, so I am unclear how Google Alerts help you, unless you have them tied in to "unique" words in some custom-written content.

Suppose you cloaked "red bitten applecore worms" into all your articles and had a Google alert for "red bitten applecore worms" in quotes -- that might allow Google Alerts to help.

But you're not supposed to cloak, right?

You could do the same thing, only make it a something unique found in an article. Like, "don't buy a car" which is the title of one of my articles. I type that in, and I can find TONS of people who copied that article. Of course, some people have the rights to use the article, and that's okay.

The only other thing I know of you can do is to periodically seek out copiers, but once your "original content" grows past just a few pages, that gets difficult.

Dan Connolly · #**8 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homesurfer

My entire carreer on the web has been to help agents market themselves. I never ran Google ads, I never posted listings, I genuinely worked for the benefit of my clients. You guys. I've been "stuck" in "not working" mode for a year and a half because I'm trying to figure out if it is worth continuing in the real estate field or if I should branch out into something new....

If you want to hear from the peanut gallery, I hope you stay in the real estate field. I have appreciated your advice for years! Worth a million times more than I paid for it (lol) You might consider becomming a RE trainer. Realtors love going to seminars to learn $#!T.

ericbramlett · #**9 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-19-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homesurfer

Whenever the National Association of Realtors runs an ad talking about the superiority of Realtors, they talk about the "strict code of ethics." Yet in the forums, Realtors ask "should I do this, should I do that," and some don't even ask.

There's the problem, Terry. NAR doesn't actively enforce their code of ethics - they spend their time publicizing the code of ethics. If they truly cared about the behavior of Realtors, they would publicly denounce the actions of unethical Realtors, and pull their memberships.

By paying $500 (or whatever it is now) to join NAR doesn't automatically instill ethics, or even hold you accountable for your actions. It merely allows you to use the word "Realtor" on your website & business card.

Personally, I'm a member of NAR, TAR, & ABOR so that I can get to the listings....I hold myself much more accountable than they do.

ericbramlett · #**10 Re: Ethics & The Golden Rule** 10-20-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homesurfer

These are the cheaters found only in the first three pages of Google results for just one phrase, just a quick search, and I've written LOTS of stuff...

http://. loggerheadrealty.com/buyers.php
http://. thehouseguy.net/before_you_buy.htm
http://. move2pinehurst.com/buyers.html
etc...

Terry, I know that my work is going to be stolen the minute I type it...it's part of writing. I also know that people from every industry are going to steal my sh*t - it's not just Realtors that do. Granted, Realtors claim they have a higher code of ethics, but bitching about that is like bitching about B-Spear's parenting skills - it's old news.

Do I hate it that my articles are reprinted without links to my site? Yes. Will I stop writing because of it? No.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Real Estate Forums

For our members

Main Sections

IDX Coverage Areas

Spiders Welcome