I agree that the heightened concern with records security is a huge step in the right direction, but it alleviates only part of the problem. The VM's have de-emphasized the importance of the abstractors as is demonstrated in their constant efforts to force abstractors to reduce their fees. I am not certain whether this was the result of their intention to replace abstractors with an on line capability to perform abstracts or their priority of increasing profit by employing the skills (or lack thereof) of the uninsured and inexperienced abstractors. However, the impact of the VM's conduct is already having a noticeable effect in this area. A number of the abstractors here have either left the field entirely or are gradually moving into related areas (appraisals, home inspections, real estate sales, witness signings, etc.) to supplement their incomes or to entirely replace the income previously provided by abstracting. The proposed legislation to limit bulk transfers of information is a great advent, but it may be to little too late to reverse a process of attrition that has already started here. Mark may be entirely right in his analysis. A year ago I would not have said this, but events that have occurred since then have changed my mind.