REALTOR® Magazine Online: 5 Copyright Caveats

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			*Risk management* Communication Policies to Minimize Risk
	Three Lines of Defense Against Risk Keeping Risks Under Control Controlling Transaction Risks Agency Disclosure Avoiding Antitrust Risks Minimizing Liability from Contracts Fair Housing Risks Controlling Personnel Risks Communications Policies to Minimize Risks Insuring Against Risks More Resources: Controlling Business Risks Code of Ethics: Controlling Business Risks		5 Copyright Caveats Copyright laws prohibit the unauthorized use of original content—ranging from photographs and drawings to software and marketing materials. Consider the following copyright issues when creating a Web site or other promotional materials. Don’t copy photos, illustrations, graphics, or significant amounts of text from another Web site without permission and proper credit notice. TIP: Even if you significantly alter the photo image you are copying, you are infringing on the creator’s copyright. Do credit the source of even one fact or sentence you use from another source. Do be sure that you secure the copyright or the right of unlimited usage for materials created for you by third-party vendors, such as photographers, newsletter designers, and Web developers. Don’t let salespeople make copies of company owned software for at-home use. Do monitor your associates’ Web sites and promotional materials for possible copyright infringements. TIP: The compilation of factual information related to properties offered for sale through an MLS is eligible for copyright protection. —"Don’t Risk It: A Broker’s Guide to Risk Management," NATIONALASSOCIATION OFREALTORS^®2000. Available from NAR by calling 800/874-6500. Controlling Your Company’s Intellectual Property When you and your associates post company listings on the Internet or even material in a company brochure, you run the risk of someone else appropriating it. To protect your company: Copyright or trademark your company’s marketing line and logo. Be sure that you own your URL; in some cases, the company that develops your Web site may control the URL under your development agreement but you should be identified as the owner/registrant. Obtain exclusive rights from the photographer to any photos you intend to use repeatedly to promote your business. Don’t let other companies display your listings without your permission. The exception would be an IDX listing on your local MLS, which gives other brokers the reciprocal right to display your listing on their sites. Ensure that sales associates understand that personal information about buyers and sellers, including their names, addresses, and e-mails, are confidential and shouldn’t be shared without permission. Require sales associates to obtain authorization from clients before placing listings on any Internet site or publication. TIP: If your office has a Web site, monitor the Internet for unauthorized reproduction of your materials at other sites. Insuring Against Risks >

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