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NAR’s legal team works hard to protect the REALTOR® brand all over the world - and now they can add “award-winning” to their title! The World Trademark Review (WTR) recently awarded NAR’s Legal Affairs team as its 2016 not-for-profit legal team of the year during their 10th annual WTR Industry Awards, beating other top brands including American Red Cross, Rotary International, The United States Olympic Committee, and the Federation of the Swiss Swatch Industry FH. NAR Associate Counsel Chloe Hecht also was recognized as a top trademark lawyer by WTR.
The World Trademark Review is an international source of news for trademark professionals, providing updates and news on trademarks and brands all over the world. Award winners are judged on their expertise, innovation, active enforcement of trademark law, global attitude towards brand expansion and protection, and other attributes.
This goes to show how hard NAR works to protect the REALTOR® brand around the world. All departments within NAR work with the Legal Affairs department on a regular basis to ensure that the REALTOR® “R” is synonymous worldwide with members of the National Association of REALTORS®. Since licensing rules vary from country to country, it’s important REALTORS® are distinguished from real estate agents as someone who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is really what sets REALTORS® apart, and ensures the client that they are working with a trusted professional, no matter the housing/land laws within the country.
In order to maintain this level of brand-recognition and respect for REALTORS® in and outside the U.S., the NAR Global team regularly monitors or reports any misuse of the trademark. For both International REALTORS® and U.S.-based REALTORS® it’s crucial that NAR continues to stay vigilant in protecting the REALTOR® trademark so REALTORS® are held to a higher standard worldwide for years to come.
Congratulations to the NAR Legal Affairs department on their big win - we are proud of them and thank them for their hard work!