NAR updates MLS policies on copyright and data feeds

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) approved four new multiple listing service (MLS) policy recommendations at its NAR NXT 2026 conference, according to HousingWire.

These updates include optional copyright claims for MLSs, allowing them to require up to a 50% copyright interest in certain listing content to enhance copyright enforcement. MLS participants can opt out of assigning copyright interests, and brokers retain rights to use and license their own listings independently.

NAR also adopted an optional policy on MLS data feed services, enabling MLSs to set local eligibility and licensing requirements for data feeds, provided the rules are reasonable, objective, and applied equally to all participants.

Despite new local rules, MLS participants must maintain access to listing information and data feeds for their own listings. This could impact how brokers and vendors access broader data feeds for brokerage websites, back-office systems, and analytics tools, depending on MLS implementation.

These policy changes are part of NAR's 2026-2028 strategic plan to modernize MLS policies and address challenges related to unauthorized scraping and reuse of listing content.