The RIAA spent a handsome $1.398 million on lobbying initiatives last quarter alone, according to documents obtained by Digital Music News on Tuesday. The lobbying disclosure form, shared by Congressional staffers, shows that $1,398,227 was used during the three-month period to influence a range of issues, including terrestrial radio performance royalties for recordings, global intellectual property protection, net neutrality, and file-sharing enforcement.
The document (below) closely follows a disclosure by Universal Music Group showing an $840,000 spend during the same period. It also follows the unearthing of non-profit tax documents revealing a salary north of $2 million for RIAA chairman Mitch Bainwol in 2008. That is just one of several heavyweight salaries at the trade organization.
Vivendi-owned UMG is listed as an RIAA client in the documents, though it remains unclear what overlap (if any) exists between the two groups. According to preliminary amounts being ascertained on remaining majors Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and EMI, it appears that the numbers do not overlap. Both the RIAA and UMG have been contacted by Digital Music News, more details ahead.
The Q2 spend by the RIAA brings the year-2010 tally to $2,757,280, at least for the first two quarters. That is an average of roughly $460,000 per month, per the filings, though the group has decreased its year-over-year allocations. During the first half of 2009, the RIAA committed $3.43 million to lobbying efforts on the Hill.
Larger document here.
The document (below) closely follows a disclosure by Universal Music Group showing an $840,000 spend during the same period. It also follows the unearthing of non-profit tax documents revealing a salary north of $2 million for RIAA chairman Mitch Bainwol in 2008. That is just one of several heavyweight salaries at the trade organization.
Vivendi-owned UMG is listed as an RIAA client in the documents, though it remains unclear what overlap (if any) exists between the two groups. According to preliminary amounts being ascertained on remaining majors Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and EMI, it appears that the numbers do not overlap. Both the RIAA and UMG have been contacted by Digital Music News, more details ahead.
The Q2 spend by the RIAA brings the year-2010 tally to $2,757,280, at least for the first two quarters. That is an average of roughly $460,000 per month, per the filings, though the group has decreased its year-over-year allocations. During the first half of 2009, the RIAA committed $3.43 million to lobbying efforts on the Hill.
Larger document here.
