The Entertainment Software Association has come under heavy criticism for its express support of SOPA, but recent detective work has uncovered a far sleazier transgression — Kotaku reports that the ESA spent a reported $190,000 on pro-PIPA lobbying.
PIPA is the Senate’s version of SOPA, which the ESA also expressly approves of. In the spring and summer of 2011, two lobbying groups were paid by the ESA to champion PIPA, among other things. The Smith-Free Group got $60,000 of bribe money to play with in the spring. It would later get a further $50,000 for anti-piracy legislation, tax, education, and energy.
Franklin Square Group received two payments of $40,000 in the spring and summer, to lobby for PIPA and immigration policy.
The ESA — ever the coward — is yet to respond to any queries about this expenditure. Either way, it’s yet more reason to support the League For Gamers and turn it into a true alternative to what has fast become the MPAA/RIAA of gaming.
