By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The National Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee on Sunday approved four MLS policy recommendations during the NAR NXT 2026 conference in New Orleans.
The changes, announced by the Chicago-headquartered trade group, address copyright protections for listing data, local MLS data feed requirements, permitted uses of MLS data and qualifications for serving on NAR’s MLS Committee. The updates could affect how brokerages, agents and consumers interact with property listings nationwide, including in the Chicago market where NAR maintains its headquarters at 430 N. Michigan Ave.
“These updates reflect our commitment to ensuring MLS policies remain relevant, effective and responsive to the needs of today’s real estate industry,” NAR CEO Nykia Wright said, according to an article published Saturday on the association’s website.
The first policy allows MLS organizations, at their discretion, to require an ownership interest of up to 50 percent in the copyright of certain listing content. The provision aims to strengthen copyright enforcement as listing data and images spread across third-party platforms, according to the NAR article. Brokers would retain the ability to independently use and license their own content, and participants could opt out of assigning a copyright interest to the MLS.
The second policy gives MLS organizations greater flexibility to establish local eligibility and licensing requirements for data feeds, provided those requirements are reasonable, objective and applied equally to all participants. Participants would retain access to data feeds of their own listings.
A third change reinforces that MLS data must be used in compliance with participation or licensing requirements and for purposes related to real estate brokerage services, appraisals or other property valuations. The policy addresses concerns about unauthorized use of MLS content, according to the association.
The fourth recommendation updates qualifications for serving on NAR’s MLS Committee to reflect the evolving industry landscape. The new criteria will not affect existing committee members.
Wright said the association will “continue working collaboratively with MLSs, brokers, members and other industry partners to support a clear understanding and implementation of these changes,” according to the article by contributing editor Melissa Dittmann Tracey.
NAR reported it has engaged nearly 500 MLS executives through regular calls and individual meetings since the beginning of the year to gather feedback. The association’s MLS Emerging Issues and Technology Advisory Board also formed a work group of MLS leaders, brokers and association executives to evaluate and advise on MLS policies.
The policy votes came during a busy week at NAR NXT. Separately, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun told conference attendees that existing-home sales have hovered near 4 million annually for four consecutive years, below the roughly 5.2 million recorded before the pandemic, according to an association news release published Thursday.
“Affordability is tough, but people’s incomes are rising, and if somehow mortgage rates go down, think about the potential housing demand that could be released to the marketplace,” Yun said, according to the release.
NAR represents more than 1.5 million members and is one of the largest trade associations headquartered in Chicago. The MLS policy changes take effect as the real estate industry continues to adjust to shifting data-access practices and evolving technology platforms.
Additional details on the four policies are available through the association’s newsroom.
