The word REALTOR® is a trademark of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and is used with its permission. Local, REALTORS® values it’s membership within the National Association of REALTORS®. This disclosure is provided as reference to the proper legal use of the REALTOR trademark in conjunction with LocalsRealtors.com
In accordance with Federal Trademark laws and the Bylaws of the National Association of REALTORS®, our company (registered in the state of California doing business as: “Local”) reserves the rights to own and operate the website known as LocalRealtors.com.
National Association of REALTORS Bylaw References
Use of the Term REALTOR® with a Member’s Firm Name
“Members are licensed by NAR to use one or more of the MARKS in connection with or in reference to themselves and their real estate businesses by using them adjacent to, but not as a part of, a member’s firm name. The MARKS may never be incorporated into the legal name of a member’s real estate business.
As used throughout this Manual, “firm name” means the local name by which a member’s real estate business is distinguished from other firms by the Member Board, the state licensing authority, and the public.
When selecting a firm name, members are strongly encouraged to utilize the words “Realty,” “Real Estate,” or similar terms that indicate the real estate nature of their business. When these words are used in the firm name, the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® are more clearly and easily perceived as indicators of membership and professional commitment.”
Note: “Strongly encouraged by not required
“The following examples show the proper use and placement of the MARKS in connection with a member’s firm name and are permitted:
Proper Use
Uptown Realty, Inc., REALTORS®
Smith, Ltd., REALTORS®
Sunshine Homes, REALTORS®
Johnson Realty, REALTORS®
The following examples show the improper use and placement of the MARKS in connection with a member’s firm name and are prohibited:
Improper Use
Uptown REALTORS®, Inc.
Smith REALTORS®, Ltd.
Sunshine REALTORS® Homes
Johnson Realty REALTORS®”
Note: Per the above reference, the proper use of our Company’s name (Local) in connection with the word REALTOR is Local, REALTORS®
“In the case of firms that are affiliated with a franchise organization or independent offices owned by a conglomerate, the individual firm name serves to distinguish one franchise or conglomerate office from another of the same franchise or conglomerate. Members who work for such firms may use the MARKS in connection with their firm name. However, franchise organizations, conglomerates, and networks are not authorized by NAR to use the MARKS, and members are prohibited from sublicensing such right to them.
If a member’s firm is a franchisee or an independent office of a conglomerate, then it would be proper for the MARK to follow the member’s firm name, such as: Franchise Company, member’s Firm Name, REALTORS® or member’s Firm Name, REALTORS®, Franchise Company.
While the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® may be used in connection with a firm name, they may not be used in conjunction with a description of the firm’s other lines of business or any other occupation or vocation of the member, even if the other occupation or vocation is part of or related to the member’s real estate business.
For example, if a member is also involved in construction or insurance businesses, it is proper to use the MARKS as follows:
Proper Use
Jones, Inc., REALTOR®
Real Estate Broker/Builder
Smith Realty, REALTORS®
Real Estate Brokerage-Insurance
However, it is improper to use the MARKS as follows:
Improper Use
Jones, Inc., REALTOR®/Builder
Smith Realty
REALTORS® – Insurance
Use of words such as “Builder” or “Insurer” in conjunction with the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® may mislead the reader into thinking that the term REALTOR® is an ordinary descriptive word which identifies an occupation or vocation.
Finally, if a member’s firm has brokers or salespersons who are not members of NAR, the member may use the terms REALTOR® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, but not the REALTOR® Logo, on business cards or letterhead used by those non-member brokers or salespersons if those terms are used in connection with the firm name and not the name of such individual and it is otherwise clear that the broker or principals of the firm hold REALTOR® membership and not the non-member brokers or salespersons.”
Letter of Law – Member Use FAQ’s
“INTERNET USE
1. Can I use the REALTOR® marks with my domain name, email address, or username?
The same rules governing the use of the REALTOR® marks apply on the internet. In domain names, email addresses, and usernames, members are authorized to use the REALTOR® marks only to indicate membership to NAR by using the marks with a member’s name or with the name of the member’s real estate business.
2. In a domain name, email address, or username, do I need to use punctuation to separate the REALTOR® marks from my name?
The REALTOR® marks do not need to be separated from a member’s name or real estate business name with punctuation in a domain name, email address, or username.
3. In a domain name, email address, or username, do I still need to capitalize the REALTOR® marks or use the trademark registration symbol?
The requirements to use capitalization and the registration symbol with the REALTOR® marks are relaxed since such formalities either cannot or are not normally observed on the Internet.
4. I am not using the term REALTOR®; I am using _______realtor (e.g., hotshotrealtor.com or floridarealtor.com). Isn’t this a new word?
It is not a new word; it is simply including the term REALTOR® in a phrase. Descriptive words or phrases are never to be used to modify the REALTOR® marks. This includes the use of the REALTOR® marks in connection to products, services, or geographically descriptive terms like the names of cities, states, or places.”
Note: Although some believe the word “Local” is a descriptive word, in our case, the word local is actually our legal business name and not used as a descriptor.
For questions of concern, please contact our legal department through the following sources:
Local, REALTORS
Attn: Legal Department
P.O. Box 601941
San Diego, California 92160
Email address: legal@localrealtors.com