The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has approved four multiple listing service (MLS) policy recommendations that increase MLSs’ options to claim copyright in listing content, expand local flexibility on data feeds, clarify permissible uses of MLS data and update qualifications for NAR’s MLS Committee.
The recommendations from NAR’s Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee were considered and adopted at NAR NXT 2026 conference on Sunday and are tied to the trade group’s 2026-2028 strategic plan to modernize MLS policies, the association said in an announcement Sunday.
New optional copyright policy for MLS data
The most consequential change for brokers and MLS operators is a revision to MLS Policy Statement 7.85 and the creation of a new optional policy on copyright protection of MLS data.
Under the revised policy, MLSs may, at their discretion, require up to a 50% copyright interest in certain listing content to strengthen copyright enforcement, subject to quarterly copyright registration requirements. MLSs must give participants the right to opt out of assigning a copyright interest to the MLS, and brokers retain the right to independently use and license their own listing content.
Copyright ownership and enforcement have become more important as listing photos and data are syndicated across portals, IDX sites and marketing platforms, and as MLSs face more frequent questions and disputes about unauthorized scraping and reuse of listing content.
Greater local flexibility on data feeds
NAR also adopted an optional MLS policy on MLS data feed services. The policy allows MLSs to establish local eligibility and licensing requirements for data feeds, as long as those rules are reasonable, objective and applied equally to all participants.
Even with new local rules, participants must retain access to MLS listing information and data feeds for their own listings.
For brokers and vendors, this could affect how quickly and under what conditions they can obtain broader data feeds for tools such as brokerage websites, back-office systems and analytics products, depending on how individual MLSs choose to implement the optional policy.
Clarification on permitted MLS data uses
A new MLS policy statement reinforces that the use of MLS data must comply with applicable MLS participation or data licensing agreements and must be connected to real estate brokerage services, the preparation of appraisals or other valuations of real property.
NAR said this is intended to address concerns around unauthorized use of MLS content, including use cases that are not connected to providing brokerage or valuation services.
For MLSs, this language provides additional backing for enforcement actions against parties that use listing data for unrelated commercial purposes. For brokers and appraisers, it underscores the need to align technology partnerships and data workflows with the scope of their MLS agreements.
Updated qualifications for NAR’s MLS Committee
NAR also updated the qualification criteria for service on its MLS Committee. The changes are meant to better reflect today’s MLS environment and ensure the committee includes members with relevant industry expertise and perspectives.
While specific qualification details were not outlined in the announcement, changes to committee composition can influence how future policy recommendations are shaped and how regional and business-model interests are represented at the national level.
“These updates reflect our commitment to ensuring MLS policies remain relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of today’s real estate industry,” Nykia Wright, the CEO of NAR and a 2026 HousingWire Woman of Influence and Vanguard award winner, said in the announcement. “In line with our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan and significant member feedback, we will continue working collaboratively with MLSs, brokers, members, and other industry partners to support a clear understanding and implementation of these changes.”
Next steps for MLSs and brokers
Because several of the policies are optional, local MLSs will have to decide whether and how to adopt them. MLS executives and boards will likely review their copyright strategies, data feed agreements and committee engagement structures in light of the new framework.
Brokers, teams and technology vendors should review their MLS participation and data licensing agreements to understand how any local policy changes could affect website data feeds, marketing uses of listing content and third-party integrations.
This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication.
