ESA Spent Nearly $1M on Q4 Game Lobbying

The Entertainment Software Association spent $980,000 on lobbying efforts in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to an AP report. The group spent over $4 million on lobbying over the full year.

The ESA directed the funds toward issues ranging from first amendment rights to copyright enforcement and anti-piracy concerns.

While the ESA's efforts to thwart violent game legislation are well known, the group also spends money on less publicized issues. For instance, last year the ESA lobbied on behalf of skilled foreign workers in the gaming industry in need of green cards and work visas.

Publishers must pay dues to be a member of the ESA, leading many companies to shed the extra cost following the economic downturn. The group's 28 members declined to a total of 21 over 2008, according to GamePolitics. Departing companies included Activision, Vivendi, LucasArts, id, Codemasters, Crave, and NCsoft.