Software trade group spent $530K lobbying in 1Q

WASHINGTON - The Business Software Alliance, the main copyright-enforcement watchdog for the commercial software industry, spent $530,000 lobbying on patent reform, trade and other issues in the first quarter, according to a disclosure report.

The trade group, whose 32 members include Microsoft Corp. (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ), Cisco Systems Inc. (nasdaq: CSCO - news - people ) and Apple Inc. (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ), also lobbied on technology research and development funding, Internet-based crimes and security, wireless high-speed Internet service, intellectual property rights legislation, more U.S. visas for highly skilled foreign technology workers and other matters.

Besides Congress, the BSA lobbied the White House, National Security Agency, the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and other agencies in the first three months of the year.

Katherine McGuire, who previously served in numerous capacities for Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is among those registered to lobby for the alliance, according to the report filed April 21 with the House clerk's office.

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