MLS Addresses Third Party Access

Challenges for the MLS when providing Third Party Access to the Database

(August 2003) Efforts to provide the latest technology software that members request be made available for them comes with considerable responsibilities for all parties involved, e.g. the MLS is charged with providing the ability for the software to successfully link with the CBR TEMPO system, the software provider must insure that access to the data is limited in the manner authorized, MarketLinx (MLS vendor) must agree to accept the product and subscribers need to receive adequate training on use of the vendor's software.  When all of these elements work in harmony, the benefits to members can be very rewarding.  However, a misinterpretation of existing IDX guidelines by a third party vendor regarding the use of the MLS data can interrupt service to members who subscribe to that vendor's software product(s).  Recently, such an event occurred...

MLS received a complaint from a member regarding the unauthorized display of the MLS database on a national web site.  The investigation was traced to an approved third party vendor, SOAR, allegedly the supplier of the data to the national web site of HomeGain serving as a referral network for real estate brokers and agents subscribing to the service. 

While the business model for SOAR and HomeGain chose this interactive process between them for optimum use of their software functionality, the practice was interpreted by MLS to be a violation of existing IDX guidelines established by CBR MLS members.  As a result, SOAR was notified in February their access to the MLS database would be interrupted until this issue was resolved and their subscribers were notified of this action. 
Although there was an attempt by SOAR to appeal the MLS proclaimed violation based on a technological explanation of the functionality of their software, ultimately there was quick cooperation on their part to comply with CBR's interpretation of the situation.  Fortunately, access by our members using the SOAR software was interrupted only for a few hours while reference to the MLS listings was removed from HomeGain and subscriber access was again resumed.

While SOAR was very cooperative in our request for their compliance with our IDX guidelines, this event served to create an ongoing subcommittee discussion regarding third-party vendor access to the MLS database.   Members from the Technical Users' Group and the MLS Committee are currently discussing the philosophy surrounding the option of granting access to the database by third-party vendors and of finding ways to insure the data becomes available only in the manner prescribed under current IDX guidelines.

For more information, read the Web Site Guidelines (IDX).