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Are you
truly taking advantage of the web to market your real estate
business? If so, then you probably own a domain name or two.
If you have thought about using "RE/MAX" in any of your marketing,
you'll want to pay attention to this article.
Today’s Tech Tip: RE/MAX
Trademark guidelines for use in Domains
Troy Murphy has
recommended another great tech tip subject to cover here today. How
to ensure you’re complying with the RE/MAX trademark guidelines for
proper use of “RE/MAX” in your domain names and email addresses.
A domain name
(sometimes referred to as a URL) is an Internet address that
identifies a person, organization or business. Domain names serve an
important trademark function by symbolizing a company's goodwill and
recognition in the marketplace. This is why RE/MAX International
registered "remax.com" in the United States and " remax.ca" in
Canada.
As many of you
know, RE/MAX Mainstreet hosts an email forwarding service to provide
affiliates with a permanent, powerful, easy-to-remember email
address that includes the RE/MAX mark. Use of this service is in
compliance with RE/MAX trademark guidelines. However, you may have
email service that uses your domain name. In that case, it’s
important to go over the guidelines to ensure both your email and
domain name are compliant.
The Trademark
Standards Manual sets forth strict guidelines for all forms of
advertising -- not just internet advertising. RE/MAX franchisees
have a license to use the name RE/MAX only in conjunction with the
self-standing local name which identifies their particular RE/MAX
franchise. Therefore, the term "RE/MAX" ( or “remax” as it appears
on the web) should not be used with words other than the
self-standing local name which identifies a particular RE/MAX
franchise. In other words, a URL address that includes the word
RE/MAX, but does not indicate the self-standing local name of the
office, and/or that creates a new word out of the name "RE/MAX," is
not in compliance with the Trademark Standards Manual.
Some quick points
on what “NOT” to do:
-
Using “remax”
with general descriptors such as
www.remax-agents.com or
www.remax-realestate.com
-
Using “remax”
with broad geographical terms such as
www.remax-seattle.com or
www.remax-texas.com (unless, of course you are
the regional office for your state)
-
Using “remax”
to create a new word such as
www.remaxproducers.com or
www.remaxworld.com “remax” must always be kept separate via
a dash such as
www.remax-nj.com or
www.remax-avalon-stoneharbor-nj.com
Some quick points
on what you “MUST” do:
-
Be certain to
always use the self-standing local name of your office, city and
state or province so that RE/MAX franchisees who share the same
self-standing local office name can be distinguished from each
other. For example,
www.remax-properties-trenton-nj.com
-
If you’re a
Sales Associate and want to use “remax”, be sure to keep “remax”
as its’ own word such as
www.janedoe-remax-barnegatbay-nj.com
Time's
up! Gotta go. Have suggestions for other Tech Tips? E-mail me.
As
always, feel free to contact Amanda or Troy at the regional helpdesk
with any tech support question at
help@remax-nj.net or (800) 828-7065.
Mark
Schilling
Information Technology Manager
mailto:markschilling@remax.net |
