According to Gamasutra, who looked at lobbyist disclosure filings, the numbers actually signifiy a decline from Q2 2008 because this quarter's numbers include other firms working on the ESA's behalf.

The ESA's filings claim that like last quarter, the group spent its money all around Washington, lobbying Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office, the FBI, and FCC, among others. But the unaccounted-for lobbying firms worked exclusively in the Senate, laboring on copyright issues and the PRO-IP Act, which it supported.

After three quarters, the ESA has spent more on lobbying this year than in any previous calendar year, according to Gamasutra. Considering the ESA has fallen on hard times this year, the organization's beefed up lobbying budget may be what it needs to stay in business.