copywriting

[peturner]

Oh my here we go again....?!?!?! Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like noses...everyone has one.....some just work better than others. However, we have a case in Washington by Mr. Tim Vining that PROVES beyond a shadow of a doubt that appraisals are copyrighted. HOWEVER, I do agree that if a Rancher is 40' X 24' (simple) is 960 SF is a FACT. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the dwellings I have appraised that are very very complicated with vaulted ceilings, overhangs, etc. that their square footages would almost always vary, from appraiser to appraiser, appraiser to public records, appraiser to even architect. Yes, even the architect. How many times have you appraised from plans and specs with architectural square footages calculated, and you recalculate METICULOUSLY, and you differ. And guess what, you only have to differ 1 like in ONE sq. ft. for it to be an original work. Additionally, we all must look to not just "facts" as some would use for their own interests, it refers mostly to the "compiliation" of facts, regardless of it being a form, a letter, or a narrative style document. Those arguing you CANNOT copyright have a vested interest in that being so. Those arguing you CAN copyright are on the opposite spectrum. But I urge you to consider 2 things....#1 if you cannot copyright facts, then how can you copyright a history book or an algebra book? Second, and IMO we have case law stating we CAN copyright.....It is a constitutional right.....AND oh by the way.....how bout those outfits now that are demanding you SIGN away your Constitutional right to copyright before you get on their "approved" list??? Did they put that clause in their because they are SURE appraisals are not copyrightable??? Just ask yourself that question.

 

[Carnivore]

You might consider that if I have a good point, then no "good" lawyer would file this suit for you.

Yes, I think it is a good point in my unlearned mind!

Truth is I dont want this issue on the Radar screen right now! To many other big things going on out there.

The more important story is about the slaves running in all directions from the plantation. The northerners are setting up an underground railroad! The plantation owners are upset and rightly. Wouldn't yo be if you were being portrayed as the evil one? A populist movement is difficult to stop once it gets a head of steam up and the attention of the gubermint! This story is just now beginning to evolve.

So again, I dont want copyright on the radar screen. It is to small an issue at this point and it could draw attention away from much much more important things. I am not a selfish man.

 

[Fred]

I thought the analogy was lame.

Like you have posted something useful here? I can always drain the fluid from my power steering unit, if I want to hear whining and groaning.

Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like noses

If you are real careful though, you just might be able to find useful thngs that aren't opinion. Then again, not all noses are created equal. Here's what I mean.

Mr. Tim Vining that PROVES beyond a shadow of a doubt that appraisals are copyrighted.

Appraisals are not copyrightable. Reports are.

Carnivore, see what I mean? Appraisals are not reports.

 

[DWiley]

The irony in these Copyright/AppraisalPort/AIRD/AIReady threads is off the charts. Appraisers are yelling and screaming with all the energy they can muster because data in appraisal reports is being read and used without additional compensation to the appraiser that prepared the report. Yet the systems designed to allow appraisers to profit from that very data are vilified as if they came straight from Satan.

Some seem to be unaware that there are MANY companies that read data from appraisal reports, compile database, and then sell access to the database. In some areas this is the main data source for appraisers. As Dave Biggers himself said, stopping the flow of data is in the interest of no one – especially the appraisers. The whole point is to profit from the flow.

I firmly believe that appraisers’ data has value, and appraisers should take advantage of the value to better themselves financially. Copyright, however, is not the magic bullet.

In the middle part of the 1990’s a group looked forward and saw how the Internet was probably going to change report delivery. They also saw that AVM use would likely expand. AIRD/AP/AIReady were all designed to cut the appraiser in on this action. Most just didn’t believe in the visions. Well, many of those visions have now come true.

Pam, you say the AIRD’s offer “lame” – who else has made any offer that would allow you to profit from data mining?

Look at the companies stirring the pot on the copyright issue with same set of cynical eyes many are putting on AI and FNC. Some have devoted a lot of time to building up the Copyright Boogie Man. Why? It is a classic ploy taught in marketing courses everywhere – create a perceived threat, preferably dealing with something most are not well-informed about, then sell the defense to the "threat." Snake oil salesmen were particularly good at this tactic.

 

[peturner]

HMMMMM...please someone tell me why I should buy my data back?????
And also, if I am gonna buy data I am still gonna have to check any unusual sales concessions, conditions, etc....I am still wondering how that "helps ME make more money"? I am earnestly asking someone to explain that benefit......esp with all the skippies also adding data. SREA market center died for the same questions.

 

[Workbox]

I am pretty sure that I am loosing business because AVM's. Some of the data that I have crossed referenced from these data bases are off by 20%.

 

[Fred]

I am pretty sure that I am loosing business because AVM's.

Buggy-whip makers once said the same thing about cars.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

I note once again- although I have told you all repeatedly that it is the case- that no one is using data in your appraisal to populate an AVM. Period. Now Vernon has confirmed that and he was on the inside when all these things were developed. Not one AVM out there uses appraisal data; the mining is to build databases for the use of the client supplying the appraisals. And this is NOT being sold.

You missed this post?:

I have a copy of some paperwork showing that First American eAppraiseIT sends reports, after being converted into AIReady, to FNC.

 

[Vernon Martin]

FNC does not have an AVM.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

What is "Collateral DNA"? Guess I'll have to go look into it more.