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Theo Shaw, Serving Evanston, IL & Beyond (Baird & Warner Residential Real Estate)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Yeah you're doing the right thing. I've had it happen, recently in fact w/ some stock photos I have of a particular area. Some dork used them on her listing, I reported it, they told her to take it down, she puts back up another one of my stock photos. No brains, no headaches.

Aug 29, 2017 10:49 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Been there, done that - our MLS rules are very specific about the utilization/stealing of others' photos. I don't even notify the agent any more - I just go straight to MLS and report them.

This behavior is one of my biggest pet peeves. I pay good money for professional photos and they are not for other agents' use!

Aug 29, 2017 09:57 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

       I got a "courtesy call" from an agent recently.   Could she use a few of my photos from several years ago; they still look good, is that okay?

    Yes, you may, because you were professional enough to ask.   And you (the agent who called me) brought the buyer to me (who is now the Seller of the same house).   

Aug 29, 2017 01:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, they have no rights to use your images, so reporting and request to remove that picture seems to be the only right way.

Aug 29, 2017 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

and you should report it.... there's no reason for that happening other than laziness....

Aug 29, 2017 09:54 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Against our MLS rules as well.

Aug 29, 2017 09:46 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Depends. If it's just a basic photo I took, I don't worry about it. If it's an exceptional photo that took me lots of time and money to take, I would probably report it.

Aug 29, 2017 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Looks like you are handling it, Theo.  Our MLS has a similar policy that you cannot use anyone else's photos without permission.

Aug 29, 2017 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Theo Shaw If it continues send them a cease and desist letter. There are several posts here about copyright infringement with photos. Lenn Harley's blog has several on her blog.

Aug 29, 2017 12:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'd report 'em. The more of us that do it, the more it will stop.

Aug 29, 2017 11:38 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Small MLS up north, I call the agent. Big MLS here, you can just hit the "report" button.

Aug 29, 2017 11:31 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

To be honest, I just take it as a complement and move on.  Too many other things to deal with in real estate.  Trying to stay on track.

Aug 29, 2017 11:23 AM
Rainer
27,969
Danielle O'Brien
Parkway Real Estate - West Roxbury, MA
Real estate Broker / Owner in Boston

I realize some folks have noted its a minor issue and one should move on, but it could become a bigger issue if people are not called out for it. So, I agree that it should be dealt with in one way or another. Personally, I would reach the agent first letting them know you were unhappy to learn your photos were being used. Then to the broker, then to MLS.

One issue we deal with in the city are rentals being put up on craiglist or other sites without our permission and without properly noting we are the brokerage. The issue here is that often they have different photos with our MLS wording or the other way around, our photos with their wording. It may not seem like a big deal.. more marketing, right? Just get it rented, right? I disagreee. Generally, their write ups are not as fine tuned as our own (gramatical errors and such) and could actually damage our marketing image/reputation. We go right to the agent on these as well, and if they do not take down the posts we go to their broker.

As a broker/owner, I would want to know if my agent was doing something like that. We have no room for laziness & unprofessional agents, here.

Aug 31, 2017 03:08 PM
Rainmaker
544,892
John Mosier
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

I noticed that a listing that I had until 2010 has been relisted. I remember taking the picture. Unless the Agent found the same lizard, the Agent used my picture. Actually, she used all my pictures from this listing.   

 

I took the listing in 2008 and listed the lot at $225,000. It is now listed at $75,000.  I do not plan to make a fuss about it because I took the pictures and did not pay a photographer.

The Seller has enough pain with the decrease in the value of his lot. I do not want to complicate the situation.

Had I paid a photographer, I would make an issue of it.

Aug 30, 2017 11:21 PM
Ambassador
3,043,274
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

I choose to spend my time and energy on other things. I take it as a compliment. We work to stay on good terms with the local agents because we want them to show our listings. 

I ask myself before each battle, or each stress event: is this the highest and best use of my time? 

Of course, if you report it, that is totally up to you and you have the right to do so. 

Aug 30, 2017 07:40 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I would report it for certain.  I do not appreciate theft and will not tolerate it. You certainly did the right thing.  I do hope the MLS enforces their own rules. 

Aug 30, 2017 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good for you! Most just fume and move-on allowing this type of behavior!

Aug 30, 2017 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I personally don't have an issue with but yes, reporting it is fine if it bothers you

Aug 30, 2017 04:35 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Contact the listing agent with a copy of the MLS rules and ask them to kindly remove it.

Aug 30, 2017 04:25 AM
Ambassador
5,049,455
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I would report it immediately. It's not allowed in our MLS and theft deserves to be reported

Aug 29, 2017 03:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I don't look for them and could careless if I see them-I doubt I'd recognize mine from anther's; I take my own and use other HOA photos too from their website. I've never understood the worry over common area reuse or generic geographic views,etc. To each their own, enjoy the stress.

Aug 29, 2017 01:13 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Life is too short to get upset over minor things like this, send them a note and thank them for the compliment of using your photo.

Aug 29, 2017 12:57 PM
Ambassador
2,061,864
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I have had it happen only a handful of times.  But I know a couple of agents who do a lot of business in some large condo buildings... and they have it happen all the time.

I recommend contacting the agent (prior to reporting them) and asking that it be taken down immediately (or, if you're up for it... ask for a fee for the photo's use).  If they won't, or don't, comply... I will report them post-haste.

Aug 29, 2017 11:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't care about that.

Aug 29, 2017 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Theo Shaw - as long as you are 100% sure of this, perfectly fine.

I had someone accuse me of the same because of the similarity of the exterior of the unit. Of course, I had the receipt from my professional photographer.

She did not have the courtesy to say 'Sorry'...

Aug 30, 2017 11:26 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

You did the right thing.  Been there done that.  

On one occasion, I saw my description used -- the property I represented was an extensively renovated unit in a condo complex and the same words were used for a fixer upper.  Same complex but very different units.   I can only imagine what potential buyers and their agents thought when they entered.  Very odd.  

Aug 30, 2017 10:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Report it!

Aug 30, 2017 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,169
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I would not worry about it. 

Aug 30, 2017 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Report it!

Aug 30, 2017 06:58 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I would contact that agent and tell them to remove the picture.

Aug 30, 2017 06:40 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I normally will first ask the agent to remove the photo before reporting them.

Aug 30, 2017 06:38 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Some agents delete all but one routinely on their Expireds

Aug 30, 2017 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I report it to my mls... 

Aug 30, 2017 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I grumble and moan and usually let it stand especially if it is of a common area in the neighborhood.

Aug 29, 2017 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Our MLS watermarks all photo's!

Aug 29, 2017 06:39 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Good for you.

Aug 29, 2017 04:30 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I either call or email, i do like calling as they cant hide from me and ask to take it down

Aug 29, 2017 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Its subjective...

Aug 29, 2017 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Our MLS automatically puts a watermark "Copyright of broker"

Nov 04, 2017 08:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Contact the listing agent and tell them they have but a hour to pull the photos before a grieveance is filed with the local board.

Aug 31, 2017 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I never knew that, wonder if my MLS is the same way

 

Aug 30, 2017 06:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I had that happen recenly

Aug 30, 2017 08:29 AM