Realtor(R) - Wordorigins Archive 14 (05-07/04) - All - Wordorigins Discussion Forum - Message Board - Yuku

RSS
Email

0 Kudo

Realtor(R)

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Author	Comment
gpp(d)	Realtor(R)	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1562 (06/05/04 20:20:26) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None SOED dates realty, as real property or estate, to 1544; it dates realtor to 1922 as a US term. Even so, the word "realtor" follows so naturally and logically to mean someone -- anyone -- who deals in realty that I have long been amazed that The [US] National Association of Realtors(R) was ever able to trademark the word. The registered mark is fiercely defended and protected in the US; any real estate agent who uses the term without actually being a member of the national association will probably be sued. Since this is a US mark, held by a US association, is it equally recognized and protected in other parts of the world? Does anyone have any information on how the word was allowed to be registered as a mark in the first place?
daffyduck	Re: Realtor(R)	#1	[-]
Posts: 753 (06/05/04 20:48:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There was a recent attempt to challenge the trademark. This page, explains how the NAR was able to successfully defend the trademark. Since 1916, when the unique term "Realtor" was coined, it has come to be recognized as identifying members of the NAR. The association registered the Realtor marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1949 and 1950, making them among the first collective marks to be registered in the country.
DaveWilton	Re: Realtor(R)	#2	[-]
Posts: 7490 (06/06/04 06:11:03) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	"Realtor" was coined in 1916 by the NAR specifically as a proprietary term. The first cite in the OED2: "1916 C. N. CHADBOURN in Nat. Real Estate Jrnl. 15 Mar. 111/2, I propose that the National Association adopt a professional title to be conferred upon its members which they shall use to distinguish them from outsiders. That this title be copyrighted and defended by the National Association against misuse... I therefore, propose that the National Association adopt and confer upon its members, dealers in realty, the title of realtor (accented on the first syllable)." Note that the use of "copyright" in the quote is a misuse of the term. It should be "trademark." The NAR did not file the trademark until 1947.

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Quick Reply