I’m sure you’ve heard of SOPA and PIPA by now–the anti-piracy legislation potentially being passed by the federal government. If passed, this would affect a plethora of websites across the Internet; effecting many industries, including real estate.
The purported purpose of both SOPA and PIPA is to prevent online piracy. However, “The legislation, say critics, could allow authorities to shut down websites, deemed to infringe upon copyrights, with no due process, while proponents of the bills say that the legislation would streamline and strengthen copyright holders’ creations. Also, the bills focus on foreign copyright-infringing websites.”
Meaning that this legislation could restrict and shut down legitimate sharing of real estate information and pictures of listings online. When an agent markets your home online, that listing’s information, photos, videos, and more are shared online in various places: multiple listing services, real estate classified ads, websites, blogs, etc. And if one little thing accidentally steps into copyright infringement, that site could be removed or blocked by the government. This legislation could also enforce data-sharing restrictions, posing problems for multiple listing services like the SoCal MLS, Craigslist, Zillow, and Trulia.
But don’t you want your property’s information and pictures out there so that you can find a buyer? Your agent’s goal is to list your property nearly anywhere and everywhere online, since you never know which site your property’s new owner is going to see it on–making this proposed legislation a threat to the housing industry. Read more about this legislation and the effect it could have on the real estate industry by reading Inman News’ article on the topic: “Some real estate pros take aim at anti-piracy legislation.”
SOPA and PIPA are a threat to the Internet and the website on it as a whole, but also to the real estate market and it’s ability to fully market your home for you. Sign the petition to stop this!
Have you signed the petition? Head over to Google and do it!
