Remember the show Realtor and the CEO by Larissa Naples? Well, in the latest example of Corporate Copyright buffoonery it looks like her show has been shut down by threatening litigation over the question of whether the word “realtor” is in the public domain or not.
Where’s our elected officials to protect us when these kinds of attempts to own the language are committed?
Do your part and say something about it.
Maybe you will be the extra voice to fight back at this and show we won’t be bullied. Please Help!
Why not just say Realters?
Thanks for the support, Jack! FYI, our bleeped version, with comical new description, has been moved to http://www.larisanaples.com, with the new title, “The [BLEEP] & the CEO.” Would love it if you’d update your AudioDrama links, for folks who might want to find us at our new home.
Will do so!
That’s an excellent suggestion. Should pass that on to Larissa. Thanks Jim!
Indiana Jim suggested just “Realters”
The term “realtor” has become almost a generic term for anyone who sells real estate, similar to how a photo copy is sometimes referred to as a Xerox or a tissue is often called a Kleenex. In actuality, “realtor” is a trademark of the National Association of Realtors in the US. “Realtor” is the title used by real estate agents or brokers who are members of the NAR. If a real estate agent or broker is not a member of the NAR, they cannot use the title “realtor”. It has been in use since 1915 and was registered as a trademark in 1949. The trademark was challenged in 2003 but was upheld by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2004.
So, in the US at least (I don’t know about Canada), they can complain about use of the term. In my opinion, though, it is petty of them to nit-pick Larissa’s story. They probably just have nothing better to do with their time since the real estate market has tanked and they are trying to make themselves feel important.
Using “realter” is good or even “realator”, which is a common mispronunciation of “realtor”. Other related names would be “real estate agent”, “house agent”, “land agent”, or just “estate agent”.