Tech firms paid lobbyist $500,000

A group of technology companies paid Patton Boggs LLP $500,000 in 2007 to push for patent-reform legislation.

More than 60 companies and trade associations, including Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc., are members of Coalition for Patent Fairness. The coalition paid Patton Boggs to lobby Congress in support of patent legislation that passed the House last year but has stalled in the Senate.

The companies say an overhaul will reduce frivolous patent lawsuits and lead to better patents. Biotech and pharmaceuticals firms are fighting the reforms, which they say will dilute patent protection.

The coalition paid Patton Boggs $300,000 in the second half of the year, according to a form posted online Feb. 11 by the Senate's public records office. It paid the lobbying firm $200,000 in the first half of 2007

Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.