Tech lobbying soars in 2009

Computer and Internet companies spent well over $120 million last year on federal lobbying efforts, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

That means the industry has devoted more than $1 billion to federal lobbying over the past decade -- the fourth-highest amount spent by any industry in the center's yearly study. Broken down, the list of the top 20 tech lobbying spenders published this week features a number of expected names. Microsoft tops the list, having spent about $6.7 million in 2009. Google places fifth, devoting more than $4 million to federal lobbying last year, followed by companies like Intel, VeriSign and Yahoo!