KEEP YOUR DOMAIN NAME AND WEBSITE ACCURATE

  RSC has recently seen an increase in the number of Participants and Sub-Participants who may be misrepresenting their services and/or their IDX website feature with the use of misleading web site domain names and content that implies or suggests they either operate or in fact are an MLS. PPMLS Rules Sections 4.4 and 16.24 specifically prohibit this activity. Both sections are required by the National Association of REALTORS® and set forth below.

Some of the most common problems arise from the use of “MLS” in conjunction with a geographically descriptive term from the Pikes Peak area in a web site domain name. Such combinations can easily create a false impression that the web site is operated by the PPMLS.

Another common problem arises from inaccurate descriptions of the IDX feature on a broker site. Many brokers are mistakenly leading consumers to believe that they are actually accessing the entire MLS system or that the broker’s site is actually the Colorado Springs based MLS. Both are untrue. A more accurate description of an IDX search feature would be “Search active listings from the Pikes Peak MLS”.

In addition to being a violation of the RSC rules, certain domain names and/or design and content of web sites could be viewed as violations of Colorado and federal advertising laws. Avoid problems by using a web site domain name, design and content that makes it clear you are a Colorado licensed broker offering brokerage services and not a multiple listing service.

Section 4.4. USE OF THE TERM MLS MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE.

No PPMLS Participant, Sub-Participant or other authorized user shall, through the name of their firm, their URLs, their e-mail addresses, their web site addresses, or in any other way represent, suggest, or imply that the individual or firm is an MLS, or that they operate an MLS. Participants, Sub-Participants and other authorized users shall not represent, suggest or imply that consumers or others have direct access to the PPMLS database, or that consumers or others are able to search the PPMLS or other MLS databases available only to Participants, Sub-Participants and other authorized users. This does not prohibit a Participant or Sub-Participant from representing that any information authorized under the PPMLS Rules to provide to clients or customers is available on their web sites or otherwise.

Section 16.24.

PPMLS Participants shall present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public, including the URLs and domain names they use, and participants may not: engage in deceptive or unauthorized framing of real estate brokerage websites; manipulate (e.g., presenting content developed by others) listing content in any way that produces a deceptive or misleading result; or deceptively use metatags, keywords or other devices/methods to direct, drive, or divert Internet traffic, or to otherwise mislead consumers.

Announcement Archives