For home sales, multiple listing services (MLS) are the main source of information about properties listed for sale. Buyers cannot access MLS completely on their own because MLS limits most access to licensed real estate brokers and agents. Although sellers can try to sell their own homes, they cannot replicate the advertising brokers can provide due to their access clients through access to MLS.
Read MoreFacial recognition has the potential to revolutionize commercial real estate access system and security. Yet, privacy advocates express concerns about how this technology might be used. In response, San Francisco now prohibits police from using facial recognition, and New York lawmakers have proposed a ban on facial recognition in residential buildings.
Read MoreIt's unfortunate when young musicians are pigeonholed into instrument selection based upon gender stereotypes. Those stereotypes eventually result in gender imbalances in professional orchestras. However, it's illegal to stereotype multifamily residents based upon gender and other attributes. Now, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has held it violates the Fair Housing Act to establish an amenity use schedule based upon gender stereotypes.
Read MoreAt 90 minutes in length, Mahler’s Sixth is a true endurance piece. Consisting of four movements. Performance of a symphony of that length typically leaves orchestra musicians and conductors dripping in sweat as if they had just finished the New York Marathon, rather than played in the New York Philharmonic. Although surviving a symphonic performance or running a marathon frequently is synonymous with accomplishing a huge feat, survival has a different meaning in contracts.
Read MoreMany major cities have passed laws prohibiting smoking in public areas. Some apartment complexes have adopted smoke-free policies. But even in buildings that are not smoke-free, tenants who do not smoke may have a right under fair housing laws to a smoke-free environment.
Read MoreIndividual orchestra musicians aren’t considered responsible for a musical composition or interpretation, even if the musicians, themselves believe them to be lacking. That responsibility lies with the composer or conductor who created it. The same may not be true with securities. People who relay inaccurate information they did not author now may be held responsible for securities fraud.
Read MoreHandel’s Water Music is one of the most famous pieces of classical music, but many people do not know that the music was composed for performance on a barge on the Thames. Boats and barges blocked the river when the Water Music first was performed, likely interfering with the rights of adjacent property owners.
Read MoreSometimes, policies also can backfire and create unintended consequences. For instance, in 2014, the Maryland legislature outlawed the sale of high-proof alcohol, only to find out that it had an impact on the violin repair business.
Read MoreBusiness relationships sometimes need “divorces.” This may occur for several reasons. There can be misconduct by a partner or a falling out among partners. Other times, an owner may want to retire, or the business model may no longer make sense.
Read More“One size fits all” doesn’t apply to musical endings, and it doesn't apply to deeds either. Several types of deeds may be used to convey real estate.
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