Sunlight Foundation

Legacy media bankrolling campaigns of SOPA cosponsors

By Tessa Muggeridge Dec 01 2011 12:13 p.m. 8 comments

Traditional big media firms have contributed more than $5 million to the sponsors of the Stop Online Piracy Act, with California Democratic Reps. Howard Berman and Adam Schiff as the top recipients.

The bill, known as SOPA, would strengthen and extend the penalties for online copyright violations, and could force websites hosting pirated content to come down or prevent search engines from sending users their way. Legacy media companies stand to benefit if there's less unlawful movement of their content on the web, like pirated movies and songs for download.

Some of the nation's top tech companies — Facebook, Google and Microsoft, among others — have spoken out against the bill while media companies have pushed to defend it. SOPA's companion legislation in the Senate, the PROTECT IP Act, is on hold.

Earlier this month we noted that Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, the bill's sponsor in the House, has received nearly $400,000 from the TV, music and movies industry during his career, including some recent timely donations from broadcasting and television groups that are lobbying for the bill.

Legacy media companies stand to benefit if there's less unlawful movement of their content on the web, like pirated movies and songs for download.

Among the 25 SOPA cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, here's a breakdown of which legislators have brought in donations from big media in TV, music and movies during their careers in Congress.

The nearly 40 cosponsors of the Protect IP Act, SOPA's partner legislation in the Senate, have received more than $13.5 million from the TV, music and movies industry since entering Congress. Here's a rundown:

(An earlier version of this post incorrectly characterized Comcast's position on the proposed internet piracy regulations. Comcast supports the SOPA legislation.)

 

Many groups have lobbied for the PROTECT IP Act, including several that employ lobbyists who have worked for the members of Congress who have signed on to the legislation. Among them:

Amazon spent $450,000 on lobbying during the third quarter, some of which was pushing against this bill. Google Inc. also spent some of its $80,000 in third quarter lobbying on fighting this measure, as did Intel, which spent nearly $1 million lobbying in Q3.

SOPA was introduced at the end of October, so lobbying on that bill will show up on fourth quarter lobbying disclosure forms.

  1. # Anon

    nice to see who's hands got buttered with money. hoping these weasels get voted out asap, since it's obvious they were bribed so this idiotic bill could even go forward. time and effort could've been expended on the economy and jobs instead.

  2. # anonymousjock

    I strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers and you will know my name is ANON when i lay my hands upon you its my island Hollie deserves justice We are legion Expect it

  3. # anon

    Roy Blunt is a Missouri senator. MO stands for Missouri, not Montana.

  4. # Just Facts

    This post is misleading. Why don't you look at the politicians who are against the anti-piracy bills? If they're Democrats, you'll find that the entertainment industry has contributed heavily to their campaigns as well. I suspect Nancy Pelosi has received more than Berman, and she's against the bill.…Also, is Comcast for or against the Protect IP Act? If their lobbyists are fighting against the bill, then who cares if they used to work for legislators who are supporting it.

  5. # Al Fullbright

    Big Brother owns the internet and he won't let you play unless you pay & pay

  6. # ValorB

    All that money their throwing at the politicians because their losing money, and they expect sympathy? Yes, Piracy is wrong, but it can't be hurting the industry THAT much for them to be throwing out $5 mil to screw with the Web. >_>

  7. # Anonz

    CTRL + F "Robert Casey" Dammit. Of course.

  8. # Aksarbent Blog

    Lee Terry represents the 2nd congressional district of Nebraska, not Nevada.

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