Recent News Articles:

The Appraisal Institute's publication page notes that FNC, Inc., has launched an online forum, www.collateralvision.com, which users can read about and input their own information on the mortgage industry. The site features stories, opinion pieces, industry hot topics and new research focused on real estate collateral.

The inaugural Open Forum piece, “Appraisal Report Data: Not Intellectual Property, Not Protected by Copyright,” was written by FNC’s Chief Legal Officer Neil Olson. It cites legal precedent to argue that appraisers cannot guard the data in their reports through copyright protection, despite some recent efforts, since the courts have established that one cannot copyright facts.

Under current law, a person contributing property and claiming a deduction of more than $5,000 must obtain a qualified appraisal from a qualified appraiser. In Notice 2006-96; 2006-46 IRB 1 (19 Oct 2006), the IRS issued transitional guidance with specific definition of "Qualified Appraisal" and "Qualified Appraiser."