Helping Members Navigate Copyright Law
Copyright protections are essential to the real estate industry. NAR represents members’ interests before Congress, federal agencies, and the courts to defend the copyrights that safeguard listing content and support REALTORS®’ livelihoods.
Real estate professionals face legal risks when using listing content—especially photographs, descriptions, and virtual tours. As original works of authorship, listing photos are protected by copyright law, and misuse can lead to costly claims for agents, brokerages, and MLSs. NAR provides legal tools, best practices, and educational resources—such as Window to the Law—to help members understand their rights, manage risk, and comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Through federal advocacy—from formal comments to the White House to engagement with Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office on critical legislative and regulatory proposals—NAR is shaping policy that promotes innovation while safeguarding copyright protections, fair housing, and consumer privacy. We educate policymakers on the vital role copyright plays in the real estate industry and support a balanced approach to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence—one that respects content creators’ rights while enabling responsible innovation.
