I've always found it very suspicious when elected officials are so willing to distribute information about their constituents while hiding who they are selling the information to.

 Did the recorders offer in reason for denying your legitimate request?

I believe most county recorders feel they are forced to sell the databases to anyone once they've made the mistake of imaging the documents. Many do not like it but they feel they have no choice. Foreign agencies exploit our freedom of information laws claiming they have a right to profit from what American taxpayers paid to create. It is an outrageous use of taxpayer money. In my opinion there is no legitimate reason to ever release the records in bulk. I learned recently that some judges here in Texas have come to the same conclusion in regards to bulk sale of judicial records. In Texas this will apply to many of the records held in the County Clerk's office like probate and filings carried over from divorce.

I would encourage you to take your story to the media. I wrote an article for the News for Public Officials a few years back about a Texas County Clerk who foolishly imaged every record that was under her care and published them online. Parts of the article were picked up by local newspapers in Texas and then redistributed in the national media. I think your issue with bulk transfer and the public records act might garner similar attention. If you would like to read the article, you can find it here.

I think NALTEA is currently working on this issue. You might want to contact them as well.