Is the word "Realtor" trademarked?

[AWRosey]

Hi:

I need assistance or clarification from the experts. I received the following email from my account exec at Fabulous in response to my query why my domain "RealtorSanAntonioTX.com" was "de-catorgorized" and "de-indexed" and no longer displaying adds or even a parked page.

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Hey Alan,

My apologies for all of the inconvenience.

During a recent trademark review, it would appear the system has marked your domain as a potential trademark infringement, however, it failed to send the relevant notification.

My apologies again.

Regarding the relevancy of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS trademark registrations to your domain:

REALTOR Reg. No. 519,789
REALTORS Reg. No. 515,200
REALTOR ASSOCIATE Reg. No. 1,323,913
REALTOR with Block "R" Logo Reg. No. 1,137,081
REALTOR.com Reg. No. 2,291,873

My apologies for the inconvenience.

Kind regards,

Name Removed

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Is this true? I just can't believe that every domain with the word realtor or realtors is infringing on this trademark. However I am new and that is why I have posted here. Any views or opinions are greatly appreciated. Additionally, rep added if anyone can assist me with a proper response to Fabulous.

Alan

 

[evertonian7uk]

it is trademarked,

theres a thread on here already with this infomation in it, let me find it for you.

 

[AWRosey]

Man, I didn't want to come across as a newbie, but I did big time. I should have searched the term before adding this post. I have done so now and see that I was mistaken and the term is in fact trademarked. I will cancel my domain today. Thanks for your help. Rep added.

Alan

 

[labrocca]

You can search the legal forums only for the term realtor and read plenty of threads.

 

[Corey]

Is this true?

Yes it is.
Unless you are a Realtor and a member of the Realtor association
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

You are in breach of their trademark.

Cheers
Corey

 

[jberryhill]

Is this true?

Yes.

 

[ehoez.com]

just become one... plus you can sell real estate & homes with it too.

lol

 

[weblord]

http://www.namepros.com/2818405-post5.html

 

[jberryhill]

just become one... plus you can sell real estate & homes with it too.

...and in order to become an NAR member, you have to agree to their member rules, which includes a detailed section on what you can and cannot register as a domain name.

 

[wisconsin]

Interesting decision for "realtors.biz" complaint denied!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137218.htm

On the ohter hand "realtor.biz" domain transferred!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137212.htm

 

[Domagon]

Interesting decision for "realtors.biz" complaint denied!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137218.htm

WOW! Illustrates again how often UDRP cases are a crapshoot

On the ohter hand "realtor.biz" domain transferred!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137212.htm

That's the decision one would reasonably expect - "realtor" is a strong mark, and while it's widely used, its meaning has generally remained constant; referring strictly to members of the NAR.

Ron

 

[NameCharger]

I. Internet Domain Names

A special exemption was approved by the Board of Directors for use of geographically descriptive term in connection with the term REALTOR® or REALTORS® as a part of a member board's domain name. The Board of Directors authorized member boards to use a domain name that includes the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® and a geographically descriptive term, so long as that term is related to their assigned jurisdiction and is consistent with their assigned name.

Source: Realtor.org, Membership Marks Manual: http://www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/mmmPartFour#FourIII

 

[brandukraine]

Gosh, it is the first time I come across it... and I'm shocked really.

I mean -- what?

 

[Dave_Z]

Interesting decision for "realtors.biz" complaint denied!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137218.htm

On the ohter hand "realtor.biz" domain transferred!

http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/137212.htm

There are significant differences between the two that time. But if NAR were
to try again for realtors.biz, given its current content, I'm sure results will be
quite different.