Valley Realtors Assn. Wins Suit Against Movers

A federal judge in Los Angeles has awarded the San Fernando Valley Assn. of Realtors a total of $117,000 in damages from six moving companies accused of using the realty board’s confidential property listings to solicit business.

The realty association filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in October, 1991, after receiving complaints from home sellers who said they were bombarded by telephone and mail solicitations from moving and storage companies. The association said the companies used the association’s Multiple Listing Services books for leads. The MLS is a database provided to association members that contains detailed information about properties for sale.

According to the association, the companies that were ordered to pay damages and stop violating copyright and confidentiality rules were: Andrews Moving & Storage, Bekins Moving & Storage Co., Southern California Van Lines Inc., Diversified Moving Systems Inc., Economy Transfer and California Surveys for Business.