Verizon Lobbied on Patent, Wiretap Bills

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Telecommunications company Verizon Communications Inc. spent $8.7 million in 2007 to lobby the government on patent and wiretap legislation and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form.
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The company lobbied on numerous matters, including identity theft, online child safety and other Internet-related issues, health technology and immigration reform. Verizon also lobbied on proposed legislation for government eavesdropping on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the United States.

A Senate bill grants retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that help with such surveillance efforts, but a House version passed Friday does not and faces a veto threat from President Bush. About 40 lawsuits have been filed against telecom companies by people alleging violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.

Verizon also lobbied on legislation intended to improve patent quality and reduce litigation. Critics charge the bills would weaken patent protections. The House approved patent reform legislation last year, but it's pending in the Senate.



Read more: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080314/verizon_communications_lobbying.html?.v=1

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They spent 8.7 million in 2007

[ixion]

1. Verizon sucks

really. I have to use them in my area. It's between them or comcast and comcast is even worse.

[underpants]

5. We had a tech, same one three times, come to our house to fix our landline

He called in and was standing there, finally I asked him what was up and he said he was on hold. I said "must be a lot of repairs going on at the same time" "No" he said he has to call the SAME LINE WE DO

they could spend their money on other things

[FreepFryer]

2. They probably want to patent the wiretap technology to sell to OTHER tin-pot dictatorships. (n/t)

[AlphaCentauri]

3. Verizon polices and terms could give you a hint

http://netservices.verizon.net/portal/link/main/selectregion

[Supersedeas]

4. can you hear me now