Comments on: NAR Just Says “NO” to real**genius.com http://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/ News, insights, tools, and inspiration for business owners and professionals Wed, 16 May 2012 17:25:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Suehttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-10539 Sue Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:17:13 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-10539 Ha...just found this...I like the sounds of Agentgenius better anyway! Ha…just found this…I like the sounds of Agentgenius better anyway!

]]> By: agentgenius.com- national real estate opinion column » Blog Archive » “Realtor” Officially as a Curse Wordhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-3770 agentgenius.com- national real estate opinion column » Blog Archive » “Realtor” Officially as a Curse Word Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:26:28 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-3770 [...] RealtorGenius.com was served with a cease and desist letter last fall and became AgentGenius.com, there was a lot of uproar. No biggie, a bigger tribal brand [...] [...] RealtorGenius.com was served with a cease and desist letter last fall and became AgentGenius.com, there was a lot of uproar. No biggie, a bigger tribal brand [...]

]]> By: Benn Rosaleshttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-3320 Benn Rosales Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:33:52 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-3320 John, I tend to agree with you, and that is one of the reasons we did not persue legal actions to protect our right to use the brand- I am the brand, the site featured the brand, and the 1.4 million other brands that make up the brand around the country. In fact, at the time, we were in fact one of the only public voices that came down in favor of nar when those 1.4 million other brands were in an uproar over nar for various missteps. So, rather than bother, we made our point by smiling graciously, and saying thank you nar for noticing us. John, I tend to agree with you, and that is one of the reasons we did not persue legal actions to protect our right to use the brand- I am the brand, the site featured the brand, and the 1.4 million other brands that make up the brand around the country. In fact, at the time, we were in fact one of the only public voices that came down in favor of nar when those 1.4 million other brands were in an uproar over nar for various missteps.

So, rather than bother, we made our point by smiling graciously, and saying thank you nar for noticing us.

]]> By: John Howardhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-3319 John Howard Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:40:53 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-3319 I really don't understand what most of you don't seem to get about NAR trying to protect its trademark. Wouldn't you do the same thing? The very purpose of a trademark is to prevent your brand from getting diluted. So, it's a either shortsighted or clearly opportunistic to use a trademarked name as your domain name. I'm no lawyer, but in my humble opinion, it would be a bigger waste of time and money to try and fight NAR in court. I really don’t understand what most of you don’t seem to get about NAR trying to protect its trademark. Wouldn’t you do the same thing? The very purpose of a trademark is to prevent your brand from getting diluted. So, it’s a either shortsighted or clearly opportunistic to use a trademarked name as your domain name. I’m no lawyer, but in my humble opinion, it would be a bigger waste of time and money to try and fight NAR in court.

]]> By: Think You Can’t Use “Realtor” in a Domain Name? 53,434 People are Doing It : NAR Wisdomhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-568 Think You Can’t Use “Realtor” in a Domain Name? 53,434 People are Doing It : NAR Wisdom Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:32:08 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-568 [...] letters from the NAR regarding their use of the term “realtor” in a domain name (RealtorGenius.com being the most recent I am privvy [...] [...] letters from the NAR regarding their use of the term “realtor” in a domain name (RealtorGenius.com being the most recent I am privvy [...]

]]> By: This Week On the NAR : NAR Wisdomhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-388 This Week On the NAR : NAR Wisdom Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:37:44 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-388 [...] The site formally known as RealtorGenius - NAR Just Says “NO” to real**genius.com Apparently the use of the word Re***or in any fashion can be shunned for almost any reason- [...] [...] The site formally known as RealtorGenius – NAR Just Says “NO” to real**genius.com Apparently the use of the word Re***or in any fashion can be shunned for almost any reason- [...]

]]> By: bennhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-278 benn Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:35:25 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-278 Man, Denny is my alter ego & Alan is litigating style when I argue before the mirror of my peers. I always win! Man, Denny is my alter ego & Alan is litigating style when I argue before the mirror of my peers. I always win!

]]> By: Phil Hooverhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-274 Phil Hoover Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:57:03 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-274 Recommend hiring Denny Crane. Or, perhaps Joseph Ferrara :) The public already thinks every real estate agent is a Realtor. I suspect NAR would lose big time if they tried to defend their TM in court and it would be a VERY public loss at a time when NAR's image is little more than a joke with their incessant cheerleading about "now is a great time to buy OR sell a house". I suspect NAR is about to better understand the real estate blogging world. Recommend hiring Denny Crane.
Or, perhaps Joseph Ferrara :)
The public already thinks every real estate agent is a Realtor.
I suspect NAR would lose big time if they tried to defend their TM in court and it would be a VERY public loss at a time when NAR’s image is little more than a joke with their incessant cheerleading about “now is a great time to buy OR sell a house”.
I suspect NAR is about to better understand the real estate blogging world.

]]> By: bennhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-273 benn Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:58:51 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-273 Chris, you'll always be minicoop to me! Chris, you’ll always be minicoop to me!

]]> By: Chris Lengquisthttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-272 Chris Lengquist Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:43:51 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-272 I'll wait till I get the letter. I’ll wait till I get the letter.

]]> By: bennhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-270 benn Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:35:01 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-270 Kevin, that reminds me of the movie transformers for some reason - realt0r! Kevin, that reminds me of the movie transformers for some reason – realt0r!

]]> By: Kevinhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-269 Kevin Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:43:34 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-269 May I humbly suggest a different new name for your blog: realt0rgenius.com (with the number "0" no the letter "o") I don't think Realt0r is trademarked. May I humbly suggest a different new name for your blog: realt0rgenius.com (with the number “0″ no the letter “o”) I don’t think Realt0r is trademarked.

]]> By: Passer Byhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-26 Passer By Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:35:14 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-26 Screw them. You shouldn't give in, ever. Represent yourself in court--if it comes to that--and blog about it each and every step along the way. The only way corporate bullies learn is by being exposed (and make no mistake about it, despite being a non-profit, NAR is a "Corporate" bully). Do not hire a lawyer, do not connect anything on your blog to your realty job (which you don't do anyway), and do keep the name. Fight for what we all believe is right, and gain a ton of notoriety--and share lots of best practices with the rest of the Net in the process. Screw them. You shouldn’t give in, ever. Represent yourself in court–if it comes to that–and blog about it each and every step along the way.

The only way corporate bullies learn is by being exposed (and make no mistake about it, despite being a non-profit, NAR is a “Corporate” bully).

Do not hire a lawyer, do not connect anything on your blog to your realty job (which you don’t do anyway), and do keep the name.

Fight for what we all believe is right, and gain a ton of notoriety–and share lots of best practices with the rest of the Net in the process.

]]> By: Staten Island Realtyhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-25 Staten Island Realty Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:22:24 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-25 It's always a safe choice to go with a word "realty" in your domain instead of "realtor". We own www.statenislandrealty.com and www.brooklynrealty.com and NAR can't touch those... It’s always a safe choice to go with a word “realty” in your domain instead of “realtor”. We own www.statenislandrealty.com and www.brooklynrealty.com and NAR can’t touch those…

]]> By: Genius Realtor Comment of the Dayhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-24 Genius Realtor Comment of the Day Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:14:42 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-24 [...] National Association of Realtors has really stuck a stick in it. They have selected RealtorGenius blog as its latest trademark infringer. The RE Blogdom is pissed. Holy crapola! There have some [...] [...] National Association of Realtors has really stuck a stick in it. They have selected RealtorGenius blog as its latest trademark infringer. The RE Blogdom is pissed. Holy crapola! There have some [...]

]]> By: john harperhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-23 john harper Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:00:14 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-23 Ya gotta love those alligator lawyers Ya gotta love those alligator lawyers

]]> By: Reason Number 4,761 the National Association of Realtors is Useless | Phoenix Real Estate and Homes for Sale - Dalton’s Arizona Homes Bloghttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-22 Reason Number 4,761 the National Association of Realtors is Useless | Phoenix Real Estate and Homes for Sale - Dalton’s Arizona Homes Blog Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:03:14 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-22 [...] thank goodness the pinheads from NAR’s legal department is selectively choosing which trademark violations to pursue. I’m sure the fact B.R. has been critical of the powers that be had noooooooooothing to do [...] [...] thank goodness the pinheads from NAR’s legal department is selectively choosing which trademark violations to pursue. I’m sure the fact B.R. has been critical of the powers that be had noooooooooothing to do [...]

]]> By: Kris Berghttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-21 Kris Berg Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:39:09 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-21 Wow! Glad my dues are going toward stopping this heinous crime wave. Left unchecked, you could have brought down an entire industry. Pretty soon, everyone would be casually tossing around the term REALTOR at the <i>xerox</i> machine or in their <i>jacuzzi</i> or while playing <i>frisbee</i> on their <i>pogo-stick</i>. It seems that NAR is just trying to put a <i>band-aid</i> on their little problem. Cry me a river and hand me a <i>kleenex</i>. I think I need an <i>aspirin</i>. If you want to take a stand, I will join you in chaining myself to your home page. Wow! Glad my dues are going toward stopping this heinous crime wave. Left unchecked, you could have brought down an entire industry. Pretty soon, everyone would be casually tossing around the term REALTOR at the xerox machine or in their jacuzzi or while playing frisbee on their pogo-stick. It seems that NAR is just trying to put a band-aid on their little problem. Cry me a river and hand me a kleenex. I think I need an aspirin.

If you want to take a stand, I will join you in chaining myself to your home page.

]]> By: Jeff Brownhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-20 Jeff Brown Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:07:03 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-20 ....but honestly, my give-a-shitter done gave out. Sure to become one of the classics. :) ….but honestly, my give-a-shitter done gave out.

Sure to become one of the classics. :)

]]> By: B. R.http://agbeat.com/editorials/nar-just-says-no-to-realgeniuscom/#comment-19 B. R. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:15 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=38#comment-19 Chris, minicooperrealtor is a violation. Kelley, that sucks. Shailesh- it has entered the public domain in my opinion. Jeff, no doubt- but what can you do... Jay, I do not even emphasize realtor on my business card or our website- that's how much the word realtor matters to my business. I also will never in a million years get a GRI next to my name, nor do I give a rats rear about their so-called benes. In my opinion, nar is nothing to me if they cannot get health care for its members or real benefits like group life. They're nothing to me but mls access and pretty soon mls access will be worthless too. Maybe I am a little sentitive right now, but honestly, my give-a-shitter done gave out. Chris, minicooperrealtor is a violation.
Kelley, that sucks.
Shailesh- it has entered the public domain in my opinion.
Jeff, no doubt- but what can you do…
Jay, I do not even emphasize realtor on my business card or our website- that’s how much the word realtor matters to my business. I also will never in a million years get a GRI next to my name, nor do I give a rats rear about their so-called benes. In my opinion, nar is nothing to me if they cannot get health care for its members or real benefits like group life. They’re nothing to me but mls access and pretty soon mls access will be worthless too.
Maybe I am a little sentitive right now, but honestly, my give-a-shitter done gave out.

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