Are we not, as abstractors, also selling public records through our searches?  Yes, we only provide those records to our clients which require them for a loan (title companies, attorneys, etc...). 

Jay, I am suprised at this answer. There is a huge difference between a local abstractor using the community records as a resource to providing a service to the community and a company seizing the entire database of community records to sell as a commodity worldwide over the Internet.

Source of Title was never intended to be the voice of the abstractors but Robert has taken a strong stance in defense of the abstractors and the industry as a whole. abstractors, vendor management companies, title companies and the consumers themselves are being harmed by these companies.

Toni spoke out in outrage as have many others here. But where is NALTEA? Where is the association that is supposed to be representing the abstractors? NALTEA has remained largely silent on this issue. Why? The abstractors deserve more from their association than, "It's just competition".

Over the past months I have documented the damages that is being caused by these companies and their careless handling of the community records. Their is not a single aspect of the industry that is not being hurt by this reckless publishing of the land records over the Internet.

Why is NALTEA silent at the very time when you should be most vocal in defending your abstractors? The abstractors deserve the support of their association.