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MLS Data—You Can Pull it, But You Can’t Push it.

Over the past few months, MLS and GMAR had to remind several members that they cannot advertise other brokerages’ listings without permission. The violators are pushing properties they perceive as desirable and posting them on social media and other platforms. This is a violation of MLS’s intellectual property, MLS rules and the Code of Ethics. This is data pushing.

Metro MLS SECTION 2.4 - ADVERTISING OF LISTING FILED WITH THE SERVICE: A listing shall not be advertised by any Participant, other than the listing broker, without the prior consent of the listing broker.

The Code of Ethics

Article 12.

REALTORS^® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations. REALTORS^® shall ensure that their status as real estate professionals is readily apparent in their advertising, marketing, and other representations, and that the recipients of all real estate communications are, or have been, notified that those communications are from a real estate professional. (Amended 1/08)

Standard of Practice 12-4

REALTORS^® shall not offer for sale/lease or advertise property without authority. When acting as listing brokers or as subagents, REALTORS^® shall not quote a price different from that agreed upon with the seller/landlord.

Linking to another broker’s website doesn’t require permission. However, copying and publishing another broker’s listing information is considered advertising and does require specific authority from the listing broker.

Recent Ethics Violations

Article 1.

Violations And Fines Issued For Unauthorized Access To Listed Properties

• Francisco Sanchez Mora

• Miguel E. Pera Cruz

Violation of Article 1:

Standard of Practice 1-16 in the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) Code of Ethics states that a REALTOR^® "shall not access or use, or permit or enable others to access or use, listed or managed property on terms or conditions other than those authorized by the owner or seller," essentially prohibiting unauthorized access to a property when acting as an agent for the seller or owner. 

Article 16.

Violation Issued For Contacting Another Broker's Client While The Client Was Under A Current, Valid Listing Contract

• Eric Poloeckelmann

Disciplinary Action:

Required to complete the Agency Relationship Course from the Wisconsin pre-licensing program.

We hope you enjoyed January 20 issue of Ethics Exchange 2025 brought to you by the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS^® (GMAR). The GMAR created this newsletter, each issue dedicated to a unique issue, because the REALTOR^® Code of Ethics, on which our industry is built, is the foundation of what it means to be a REALTOR^®.

Questions, comments or concerns regarding this issue can be directed to

Scott Bush at the GMAR Office (414-778-4929 or scott@gmar.com).