SIGN-UP FOR PROTECT MLS DATA

InternetCrusade and attorney Brian N. Larson proudly announce the creation of a new "listserv" as a forum for discussions about protecting MLS data from abuse. InternetCrusade will host the listserv, and Larson will act as editor and moderator. The listserv is titled ProtectMLSData@InternetCrusade.com Persons interested in subscribing should complete the form below and click the Submit button. You will receive a Welcome message with instructions on how to participate.

"We have offered the industry a number of listserv resources over the last decade," said InternetCrusade co-founder Saul Klein. "The technology permits a subscriber to post one message to the listserv address and have it transmitted to all the other subscribers. Some of our current lists include ones focused on MLS technology, association management, agent and broker issues, and volunteer leadership," Klein added. Larson previously moderated a list for InternetCrusade that offered a structured discussion of developments in IDX and virtual office websites. "We provide these services free of charge in an effort to build community and to raise awareness in the industry of important issues," Klein said.

According to Larson, "This particular list is focused on a very important but relatively narrow issue: protecting MLS data from abuse and piracy." This will include discussions of legal, technology-based, and business practice initiatives. "We've seen a great deal of hand-wringing about MLS data protection, but nothing like a useful roadmap for doing something about it," Larson continued. He notes that "should we protect the MLS data?" is the wrong question; the answer is obviously "yes." Instead, the questions are "to what ends, to what extent, at what cost, and how should we protect the data?"

The planned publication schedule for the listserv will include a new item from moderator Larson at least once each month. The moderator-posted items may include background materials from Larson, articles from guest contributors, and interviews of industry leaders. Subscribers are encouraged to respond to the moderator-posted items with their own comments, suggestions, and experiences. Subscribers to the list will be able to post messages to it at any time (though InternetCrusade and Larson reserve the right to reject messages that are off-topic, etc.)

The listserv publishers offer the following outline of topics for the coming months:
I. Introduction to key topics.
II. The "why" of protecting MLS data. Determining what interests are at stake.
III. Overview of legal protections - copyright.
IV. Overview of legal protections - contracts.
V. Overview of business practice efforts.
VI. Overview of technology-based efforts.
VII. Subscriber-selected topics.

Brian N. Larson is a Minneapolis-based attorney with MLS and REALTOR® association clients throughout the United States. He assists his clients in negotiating and drafting Internet, data licensing, and computer contracts and in developing copyright enhancement strategies, among other things.

Real Estate Electronic Publishing Co., d/b/a InternetCrusade®, is a San Diego-based technology services and education company. The company provides tools for real estate agents and brokers to embrace Internet-based marketing and is also official provider of the National Association of REALTORS® e-PRO certification program at http://eProNAR.com