I need you guys' opinions.

[Real Estate Forum]

What do you think about this?
http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/showthread.php?t=2926&page=2

[Chief Tutor]

There are over 1,000,000 licenced Real Estate Agents in the country. The Real Estate industry is changing at an amazing rate. I know since we are all a part of it it seems as though it is changing too slow, but in the bigger scheme of things, the changes are exponetial and we will change a lot more before we are done.

If REW is concerned with people sharing ideas, then he shouldn't have started a free forum for the exchange of ideas. He was one of the first and is the biggest but when we says other forums stole his ideas, he is mistaken. When you look at starting a forum, you are going to see what others are doing and see what works. Why reinvent the wheel?

That doesn't mean that these other forums copied him, it means that he had an idea and people saw the advantages, and got into the business themselves adding their own variations to the same theme.

Look at any service based industry, The information provided is virtually the same but with a different spin.

If anything, All these other forums are doing is validating a method of communication.

this is the first part of my two cents.....more later

[HHI Golf Guy]

I think that I have visited that forum only 3 or 4 times. I read the thread, and to me it sounds like whining.

Stealing categories? C'mon - there are thousands of forums in thousands of sectors that have the same headings.

Poaching members? Whatever happened to freedom of speech and freedom of choice?

Content theft? I can't comment. The webmaster did not post any examples and links for me to draw any conclusions.

Which forum was he talking about?

[Real Estate Forum]

About http://www.prorealestatenetwork.com

[STVP]

I kinda see his point...

Whatever happend to being creative. How hard is it to rename something in your own words. Directly coping someones work is pure lazyness. If someone started a forum about surfing and copied all of my categories i would be a little irritated. Seriously guys. If you created your own custom real estate slogan and some other fool in town started using the same thing you would be put off. Lets all be honest and not kiss any a@# .

[HMiller]

After comparing those 2 forums side by side, I do see quite a bit of copying that was going on. Enough for me to say that it was wrong for them to do that. I don't see any problem with anyone deciding to start a real estate forum on their own, just keep it original.

[Real Estate Forum]

I myself have formed somewhat of an opinion and appreciate all of your input. I love first of all that EVERYONE here is free to speak their minds and it will always be that way.

Keep it coming :cool:

[Real Estate Forum]

I just took a look and have noticed that parts are copied word for word from REW.

[Real Estate Forum]

Me and my partners have unanimously decided that we want no association with the other forum and want to encourage the owners to either take it down or make significant changes.

I personally am offended that I was asked to support the forum when it was blatantly ripping off parts of realestatewebmasters.
My forum will keep running the way it does but I will not stand for anything unethical.

We have a web development company and one thing I know is that image and reputation go long ways.

It was a shock for me to see what I saw and am also considering changes at realestateforum.com due to it.

once again, I made a mistake a few months ago letting people influence me too much but from now on I will do what I believe is right.

Thank you everyone for giving me your opinions thru PMs.

You can discuss the issue further if you wish.


Mike

[Real Estate Forum]

If I seem upset it is because I was asked to help and support something that I cannot believe in, that is where my shock is coming from. I believe in loyalty but not being set up like this.

[Phoenix Realtor]

Mike,

I have always liked your style. You've got class man!

Though I never even looked at ProNetwork to see if they were cheating or not, I never really got into that forum either. I have always and still do prefer www.RealEstateForum.com!

[Real Estate Forum]

Thanks, homie :)

[Phoenix Realtor]

Mike,

You've earned it. No need to thank me.

Anyways, it really sucks that those guys stole from Morgan. He is always sharing, and giving and helping others for no charge... and then they steal from him! Suck-o-la.

Glad you've got some back-bone Mike! And, if you were stealing, I wouldn't be here for a second longer so it matters not who steals - I want nothing to do with anyone who is dis-honest.

Peace! and, good fortune to RealEstateForum.com!!!

[webmaster]

Hey guys,
As many of you know, I am webmaster aka seo guy from REW.

I just want to clarify, that I never said that members should not create or support other real estate forums, in fact take a look at my few posts here, I certainly look at it as friendly competition, and helpful to my members as well.

In fact the very first sentence of my thread starting post was "I have been looking around, and it seems everyone and their dog is starting a real estate forum (No problem with this) "

My issue was with intellectual property theft. When I write a description of a forum and it is copied verbatim that is theft. The fact that they are organized exactly the same just added fuel to the fire.

Looking at a further down the line post you will see I encourage realtors to frequent other forums. I'm not looking to limit or bully anyone.

Just wanted to qualify the above, I dont want members to think they will be banned from here for posting on other real estate forums, that is not the case at all. My issue is with intellectual property theft, not competition. In fact my own moderator Jeffrey blackwell runs a great marketing forum, that focuses on a much different aspect of the real estate market than is covered here. I think members should frequent such sites often

I'd like to personally thank mike for his support and recognizing what my issue was. I think the sharing of ideas and resources is essential to all of our success and never want to stifle the communication lines that any forum (Competition or not) open for all of us. Copying or improving an idea is how things get better. Copying someone elses content verbatim is intellectual property theft and is Illegal!

I welcome replies.

[Phoenix Realtor]

Hey Morgan... we were just talking about you. Small world this internet thing isn't it?

Anyways, you have been a very helpful person to many, and I think it really sucks that someone stole from you. How very weak! :mad:

[webmaster]

Thanks matt :)

[STVP]

I haven't officially met you, but supported your argument regardless. In my opinion you can call it content theft. I am not here to suck up to anyone , i just call it as i see it. I would do the same thing for advanced access....maybe.lol :D

[Phoenix Realtor]

Thanks matt :)

Speaking of copying...

I am now saying "bro" and even an occasionaly "cheers" online.

Thanks alot. :rolleyes:

[STVP]

That bro talk may have come from this guy..http://forums.digitalpoint.com/member.php?u=6523

lol.. good old spicoli

[webmaster]

Thanks STVP

Little tip for you for optimizing your sig. Right now all your links are pointing to your homepage, with different anchor text, you are only getting credit for the first one.

I would change the destinations of the others
Your san diego weather one should go to http://www.surfingsandiego.com/weather.asp
etc that way your anchot text better matches your onpage content and you are given credit to your site for multiple links :)
Cheers bro!

[STVP]

I like this cat already he is already hooking a bro up. Thanks look forward to joining up at REW.

STVP

[webmaster]

btw how do I get those weather.com reports on my local site? I have a site for Nanaimo British Columbia at www.nanaimoinformation.com and would love to post the weather.
Thanks

[STVP]

here ya go bro, http://www.weather.com/services/?from=globalnav

So thats where your from in B.C. look like a cool spot.

STVP

[Phoenix Realtor]

That bro talk may have come from this guy..http://forums.digitalpoint.com/member.php?u=6523

lol.. good old spicoli

You are too funny! I'll need to rent that old movie for a trip down memory lane. :eek:

But, it was definately Morgan with all that Canadian slang. :rolleyes:

[HMiller]

You are too funny! I'll need to rent that old movie for a trip down memory lane. :eek:

But, it was definately Morgan with all that Canadian slang. :rolleyes: Man, I remember going to see that movie with my boy Willy. Must have been 10th grade. Fast times indeed :D

[HHI Golf Guy]

I just took a look and have noticed that parts are copied word for word from REW.

I stand corrected.

It's fine to post information from someone else, as long as you give credit where credit is due. To put forward someone elses ideas as your own is intolerable.

FWIW, when that forum first went live I was asked to serve as a moderator, and have posted there on occasion (though not near as frequent as on this forum). My choice is to end my affiliation with that forum.

Sincere apologies to the owner of REW - he has every right to be upset with the misrepresented posts.

[San Diego Real Estate]

Hey guys,
As many of you know, I am webmaster aka seo guy from REW.

I just want to clarify, that I never said that members should not create or support other real estate forums, in fact take a look at my few posts here, I certainly look at it as friendly competition, and helpful to my members as well.

In fact the very first sentence of my thread starting post was "I have been looking around, and it seems everyone and their dog is starting a real estate forum (No problem with this) "

My issue was with intellectual property theft. When I write a description of a forum and it is copied verbatim that is theft. The fact that they are organized exactly the same just added fuel to the fire.

Looking at a further down the line post you will see I encourage realtors to frequent other forums. I'm not looking to limit or bully anyone.



I'd like to personally thank mike for his support and recognizing what my issue was. I think the sharing of ideas and resources is essential to all of our success and never want to stifle the communication lines that any forum (Competition or not) open for all of us. Copying or improving an idea is how things get better. Copying someone elses content verbatim is intellectual property theft and is Illegal!

I welcome replies.Morgan for the record it was never our intent to copy anyone! When we started the Pro Real Estate Network Forum it was to give Agents an additional place to hang out and Network with other Agents! As you know there are numerous Real Estate Forums out there and the main topics are all about the same! If you look at the AgentPage, RealEstate Discuss, DiscussRealEstate and so on they all have about the same topics I can assure you that Mack is making changes today that keep the two totally separate! You have my public apology for any confusion and this we be corrected ASAP! Thanks for your understanding! ;) I'm headed out of town for a funeral this morning and will not be back for a week! But you have my word that this will be corrected! Once again my Sincere apologies and thanks again for your understanding!

[VegasMack]

Morgan,

I found 3 Topics that were identical to REWM. Although they were inadvertent, you have my apology.

They have since been changed and again, as I indicated in my email to you, if there is ANYTHING that you feel PPEN has copied, let me know and I will gladly change it. Had I been notified it would have been changed and NEVER become an issue.

Pro Real Estate Network has always spoken highly of you, REWM and several others in this thread that now seek to crucify us. And believe or not, Al and I will continue to do so. It just isn’t our style to do otherwise.

If anyone else that has posted here can show SPECIFIC instances of coping PLEASE point them out and they will be changed immediately.

Thanks,

~VegasMack

[Chief Tutor]

:cool: Morgan,

Thank you for clarifing your first e-mail. The first few posts said exactly what you reiterated here but got kind of lost in translation. Upon further review of your posts, I better understand your concerns and agree with your overall communication. Ideas that are copied verbatim are not new and origianl nor are they an improvement of an exisitng idea.

Thanks for taking the time to clarify your point here. Competitition is good but need not be nasty. Especially at this stage of development with over 1,000,000 realtors and only about 30% of them having websites.

Good Luck and we look forward to making sure that people stay on the straight and narrow moving forward.

[Real Estate Forum]

Read posts 4 and 6: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=240382#post240382

[Phoenix Realtor]

If you are asking us if we want better smilies... yes we do!

[Rick&Trina]

I think that the two forums and any others out there is just plain good old competition. If you look at what the japanese did with cars, t.v."s, VCR"s, etc. none of these items was their original ideas. First they copied to get started then later refined and actually made things better which in turn forced us to do the same. think you just have to dicide which is better for you individually or which one serves a better specific purpose at that time. :cool:

[Phoenix Realtor]

Excellent post "Rick&Trina". :) But you missed the whole theft thing. It was ugly.

BTW, Chief Tutor: where are my new smilies? I ordered them months ago... LOL :D

[webmaster]

Rick & Trina, I have no problem whatsoever with competition of any kind, it is when my intellectual property is stolen (Which is illegal) I get upset. That forum has significantly changed sinse this whole topic came about (Quite some time ago) - if it was just healthy competition, do you think they would have changed it? Probably not.

[Rick&Trina]

your opinion and your site is respected. Mad props to the originator. :cool:

[Phoenix Realtor]

Rick & Trina, I have no problem whatsoever with competition of any kind, it is when my intellectual property is stolen (Which is illegal) I get upset.

It's a ***** when someone follows your every move stealing your ideas, etc.

[Rick&Trina]

it definitly do suck :D

[Chief Tutor]

Hey All,

We use this site to see if people are stealing our clients material. It has been a great tool and we have actually gotten people to take down content which has been clearly copied.

http://www.copyscape.com

Just My Two Cents.;)

[frobn]

Hey All,

We use this site to see if people are stealing our clients material. It has been a great tool and we have actually gotten people to take down content which has been clearly copied.

http://www.copyscape.com

Just My Two Cents.;)Good idea. I dislike IP stealing as much as the next guys, but it is a fact of life. Instead of crying just notify the culprit and if he or she doesn't remove it forget it and use your energy to improve. If you really think about there is nothing new, we all try to stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before us. Is that right? Maybe its we hide behind them?

[Rick&Trina]

Would it make any difference to the affected parties if just credit or appreciation was given for standing on others backs? Maybe. So maybe thats all is needed. Will it happen?????????????Probably not. Everything seems to be a knockoff these days. Have we lost our originality or our we just layering improvement on top of improvement and forgeting the originator in the process? I think its hard to put an patent on an idea we cant touch, but we should definitly give credit where it's due without being pushed to do so. :cool: or maybe im just drunk :cool:

[frobn]

Would it make any difference to the affected parties if just credit or appreciation was given for standing on others backs? Maybe. So maybe thats all is needed. Will it happen?????????????Probably not. Everything seems to be a knockoff these days. Have we lost our originality or our we just layering improvement on top of improvement and forgeting the originator in the process? I think its hard to put an patent on an idea we cant touch, but we should definitly give credit where it's due without being pushed to do so. :cool: or maybe im just drunk :cool:I agree give credit where credit is due, but when you don't get the credit you "believe" you deserve, don't fret over it, move on and continue to improve.

[Phoenix Realtor]

Life IS... too short. Move on...

But, nothing wrong with a letter from your copyright attorney when you have proof the something is copied word for word. Someone has to fight it once in awhile or it will become even more rapant.

I wish others could get some ideas of their own. Instead of watching their competitor and then putting out their own version of what their competitor is doing. That is happening to me right now, can't prove he's copying, but he always seems to have the same ideas as me within a month of me releasing my idea on the net.

Suck-o-la.

[Realestateguy]

people need to just use their head and come up with their own stuff

[CoastalJacksonville]

Just getting my website up and running this would make me angry as well. I've put so many hours on getting the content together. If someone was to take my ideas I would just look at it as a compliment and move on. Life is too short to worry about if someone is piggy backing from me especially if not word for word. Keep your head up and your integrity intact.:o

[nercentral]

Here's my opinion regarding this thread --What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun - (Ecclesiastes 1:9-14 NIV)

Have a look at our website, you can see the service section of our website was designed as a forum to provide a real estate and mortgage forum service. The idea was to give our customers and prospects a place to hang out with our agents and help them to tap into various type of mortgage of real estate info. Currently the forum is only rss feed news from various news provider. The information is target for consumers however our agents can learn a ton by browsing the forum.