Thread: Copyright Infringement Warning Received!

I received a copyright infringement warning today for using the term realtor in my domain name. I used cityrealtor and was told that I was infringing. I was told that I can use mynamerealtor and that is fine... so, the word realtor, attached with other words is fine, but not with a city.

The NAR is very aggressive in protecting the word Realtor.

Yes NAR will take this to the kilt. You are allow to use yourname plus realtor but not city plus realtor. Also you are not allowed to do a redirect of that violating domain name, they will also nail you for that. Dont feel bad though a lot of people have made this same mistake. Its quite common. If they sent you a notice I would take it seriously, it most likely came from Mary and I cant remember her last name.

I woud assume then the word realtors is fine?

No it isnt, they will give you a hard time and take you to court about that as well. If you want to spend the money to fight it then you might win that case but I would suggest to not use any type of prefix of the word Realtor...Just a suggestion

Originally Posted by Canadian Realtor

I was told that I can use mynamerealtor and that is fine... so, the word realtor, attached with other words is fine, but not with a city.

You can only use your name or your company's registered name preceding the word REALTOR. In your url you don't have to use capitals. You cannot use it with any other descriptive words.

It's a big mess. NAR will lose their trademark if they don't go after everyone, so... Realtor, or Realtors, you'll never win in court. Never. If you feel frisky, do some research and see just how many have lost in court already, and some with some very deep pockets that I doubt you could even dream of having yourself.

Drop it, move on and live your life.

I wonder if they'd go after me? kiwirealtor.com? makes me want to buy it just to p them off. but then I'm not a realtor so what do I care? but surely I wouldn't come under their jurisdiction?

Sarah

the term realtor is copyright... if you registered something with Microsoft, you could be sued by them. I would think it is the same... I learned and have now adapted...

Yes, but microsoft have applied for copyrights around the world. Has the NAR?

Copyrights aren't international law, just national law. So, register your url in the Caymans....

Sarah