Back on May 27, 2008, the NAR settled with the Department of Justice regarding its policy with VOW’s (Virtual Office Websites). The case was in litigation for over two years. I just finished watching the video update from NAR president Dick Gaylord and reading the convoluted revised Virtual Office Website Policy. The revised policy can be found here. Here’s a run down of the new policy:
- IDX applications / solutions were not affected, just VOW’s
- VOW participants not only have to have a Brokers license, they have to actively participate in the MLS and the Real Estate process.
- Users have to agree to the Terms of Use of the VOW system and have a registered account with valid email address.
- The Registrant must supply a user name and password.
- Listings displayed on a VOW must clearly identify the listing firm.
- The new policy will formally take place somewhere around Labor Day.
On a side note, if you’re as confused as I am regarding the correct grammatical use of “NAR vs. DOJ vs. VOW” visit: “Abbreviation vs. Acronym vs. Initialism“.
Here’s the Podcast DOJ update:
Ok, so to see IDX you have to sign in? And thn they get a broker’s version of the MLS sheet or what? Is Statewide MLS going to help us with this or are they too busy selling magazine ads?
Hmmm not too happy about the changes - You have to provide personal information prior to registration to view the listings…and have to actively participate in the real estate process!
Rich,
Your site is a IDX solution and uses a RI Living customer display sheet for property listings. You don’t have to change a thing. BTW, I contacted Statewide MLS regarding this topic and they haven’t even read the revision yet!
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