Photography Best Practices and Copyright Laws
When it comes to photography best practices, there is one prevailing principle that you should remember: do NOT upload anything you don’t have the proper rights to upload. From NAR: “MLS participants can grant photo license to the MLS only if they own the photo or have obtained the rights to use it.”
Over time, copyright laws have made it increasingly difficult to discern between what is and isn’t considered acceptable when entering photos into the MLS. To help mitigate confusion, Unlock MLS has created a program designed specifically to protect the rights of photographers and ensure that agents have been authorized by the photographer to upload photos to the MLS. The Unlock MLS Verified MLS Photography Partner Program is an agreement between the photographer and the Unlock MLS which gives the our MLS full license to use and display their photos—both within the MLS and to approved syndication channels.
By going through the Unlock MLS Verified MLS Photography Program, all parties understand that the photos are owned by the photographer and agree that said photos can be used by the agent for the purposes of the listing (includes syndication channels).
What you need to know about the Unlock MLS Verified MLS Photographer Partner Program:
There is no cost for a photographer to join the program. Photographers are still able to join the ABoR Affiliate Network to gain the extra benefits of being an ABoR member.
This program is optional. Unlock MLS does not require an agent to upload photographs that are owned by a verified photographer.
This program does not override or replace agreements between agents and photographers. Since the verified program is an agreement between the photographer and the MLS, agents and photographers may still require an agreement/contract.
Are you a photographer who would like to get verified? Contact support@unlockmls.com and we'll reach out with more information on the program, including how to join.