Apple spends $390,000 on Q2 lobbying efforts
updated 12:35 pm EDT, Mon August 24, 2009
Apple political persuasion
Apple spent $390,000 in lobbying the US government during the second quarter of 2009, documents from the House of Representatives show. The sum is a $50,000 increase over the first quarter, and came despite slowing Mac and iPod sales. Apple's attempts to privately influence the government are recorded as connected to stimulus funding -- for educational technology, and increasing broadband penetration -- as well as a variety of environmental issues.
These include e-waste, the Energy Star rating program, recycled material quotas for government purchases, and battery safety and transportation. It is not certain what Apple's goals may be in each area may have been, but the company has been generating increasing criticism for exploding iPhones and iPods. At the same time, it has attempted to promote Macs as some of the most environmentally-friendly computers available.
Apple's stimulus lobbying is thought to be related in part to a declining educational market, which in the first quarter of the year shrank by 11 percent. COO Tim Cook admitted in April that he hoped for stimulus money to reach state governments, which in turn could help institutions afford new technology purchases.
Between April and June Apple targeted several government bodies, including Congress, the Education Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Communications Commission and the US Trade Representative, among others.
Why is this news?
08/24, 01:10pm reply
Is Apple doing something illegal or unethical here? Are corporations not allowed to petition the government? Why use the word "targeted"? What is the purpose of this article anyway? Are we supposed to be outraged that Apple is spending some of its money to lobby Congress?
lkrupp
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Joined: May 2001
despite?
08/24, 01:16pm reply
The sum is a $50,000 increase over the first quarter, and came despite slowing Mac and iPod sales.
Well, sales might be lower, but didn't apple have record profit?
And since when does a $50,000 increase warrant any mention with a company that made over a billion dollars last quarter? Is it going to put a dent in there somewhere?
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000
Re: why is this news
08/24, 01:18pm reply
Who said it was news? Not all information is 'news', yet it is worth knowing anyway. And, yes, some people might care to know Apple is ONLY spending $400k in lobbying (compared to other businesses, a mere drop in the bucket, I'm sure), and what they are lobbying for.
Sure, it would have been exciting to find out Apple spent 5 million on lobbying efforts to allow them to dump used iPods into the san francisco bay. But that doesn't make this information note-worthy.
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000
It Is news
08/24, 01:20pm reply
This is news, albeit not necessarily important. Anything that affects Apple, government etc. is news. It means that Apple thinks there is money to be made if any stimulus money is spet on technology for educational or gov't.
dynsight
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Joined: May 2005
So little?
08/24, 03:44pm reply
Heck, the insurance industry and pharma have been spending about 10 zillion dollars a week to lobby against health care reform.
Jittery Jimmy
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Joined: Jan 2006