XM Satellite Radio spent $214,530 lobbying in 1Q

Satellite broadcaster XM Satellite Radio Inc. spent $214,530 in the first quarter lobbying in favor of its multibillion-dollar acquisition by Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., according to a recent disclosure report.

The company agreed in February 2007 to be purchased by New York-based Sirius, and the Justice Department cleared the deal in March of this year.

The Federal Communications Commission, meanwhile, has not yet signed off on the transaction.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said earlier this month that he would recommend approval of the deal. But it's unclear how the other four commissioners will vote and when that will occur.

The proposed satellite radio combination has drawn vociferous opposition from the National Association of Broadcasters and Clear Channel Communications Inc., one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies.

XM also lobbied on digital music copyright issues, according to the report filed with the House clerk's office April 18. The company last year settled copyright suits with several major record companies, which alleged that XM's portable music player violated copyright agreements because it allowed users to record songs from broadcasts.

Besides Congress, XM lobbied the Federal Communications Commission, Justice Department and the Library of Congress in the first three months of the year.