Recording industry lobbied to tune of $1.5M in 1Q

The Recording Industry Association of America spent more than $1.5 million in the first quarter to lobby on copyright theft and other issues, according to a disclosure report.

As the main trade group for music recording companies, RIAA lobbied the federal government on legislation to strengthen U.S. laws against counterfeiting and piracy, including online theft of music. Piracy is one of the top issues for RIAA, which says music theft results in $12.5 billion annually in terms of lost jobs and wages, tax reeves, personal income tax and lost corporate income and production taxes.

The trade group also lobbied on proposed legislation to limit fees charged to Internet radio stations for music broadcasts, higher education bills and protection of federal data.

RIAA members include Warner Music Group Corp. and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture between Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG.

In the January-to-March period, the trade group lobbied Congress, the U.S. Trade Representative's office and Justice Department, according to the report filed April 21 with the House clerk's office.