Information for Participants (Brokers) regarding MLS data access and rules for property search websites.
MLS Grid
All Sunflower MLS data exports are handled by MLS Grid. Data consumers, including vendors hired by brokers to manage websites and back-office technology, can visit https://www.mlsgrid.com/resources to view the MLS Grid Data License Agreement and the IDX Rules as well as instructions on how to set up an account and request a data feed. The vendor will sign the license agreement electronically as part of the request. The agent (if present) and broker (required) will then e-sign the agreement. Next, SMLS will review and approve the agreement, after which the vendor will receive an access token for the API.
Participants and their vendors should ensure that they understand all licensing and display requirements prior to signing any license agreements. The DMCA requirement is one of many. SMLS staff and MLS Grid support staff are available to assist with policy or technical questions.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
All websites displaying data obtained from MLS Grid are required to post a DMCA notice and register a DMCA agent with the U.S. Copyright office. See the DMCA notice at the bottom of this page for an example. Register a DMCA agent with the Copyright Office using the link below.
MLS Grid DUA Participant and Vendor Obligations, item (d): Vendor and Participant shall display on the IDX or VOW websites it owns, controls, or creates a sufficient copyright notice to maintain Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) safe harbor protection, and shall (a) maintain all necessary registrations for DMCA safe harbor protection; and (b) send within 24 hours to MLS GRID at DMCAnotice@MLSGrid.com each notice received concerning any copyright infringement allegedly within the MLS GRID Data.
https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/ "The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) provides safe harbors from copyright infringement liability for online service providers. In order to qualify for safe harbor protection, certain kinds of service providers—for example, those that allow users to post or store material on their systems, and search engines, directories, and other information location tools— must designate an agent to receive notifications of claimed copyright infringement. To designate an agent, a service provider must do two things: (1) make certain contact information for the agent available to the public on its website; and (2) provide the same information to the Copyright Office, which maintains a centralized online directory of designated agent contact information for public use. The service provider must also ensure that this information is up to date."