Well, ok. This trick is the basis for the current version of your product, or perhaps "current business."

Is that fair? Or are you doing something other than, say, scraping http://www.facebook.com/search/?ref=ffs&q=farmerje@uchic... when I type in my email address? (At least WRT Facebook; other networks would naturally have different tactics.)

You don't need to be defensive. Every network is bootstrapped off another network. If you can get away with it, get away with it for as long as possible, but make sure you have an escape plan.

I assume that's what you're doing. Am I wrong?

That's not meant as a challenge, BTW. If I misunderstand your current product then the record should be corrected.