ESA Spent Over $1 Million Lobbying American Government in Q3

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The Entertainment Software Association, known more simply as the government lobby for the video games industry, spent $1,090,000 in the July-September quarter to represent the games industry in Washington.

According to Gamasutra, who looked at lobbyist disclosure filings, the numbers actually signifiy a decline from Q2 2008 because this quarter's numbers include other firms working on the ESA's behalf.

The ESA's filings claim that like last quarter, the group spent its money all around Washington, lobbying Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office, the FBI, and FCC, among others. But the unaccounted-for lobbying firms worked exclusively in the Senate, laboring on copyright issues and the PRO-IP Act, which it supported.

After three quarters, the ESA has spent more on lobbying this year than in any previous calendar year, according to Gamasutra. Considering the ESA has fallen on hard times this year, the organization's beefed up lobbying budget may be what it needs to stay in business.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 20, 2008 6:39 PM

    Democracy in action: An apathetic public elect officials who spend their time trying to please the groups who yell loudest. The ESA is just doing what it's supposed to do for the companies it represents. I'm actually surprised that the numbers are so low, but I guess video game companies don't have much to do with politics aside from useless piracy laws.

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