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Dolby Buys MIT's DTV Vote for $30 Million

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the something-wacky-going-on dept.

An anonymous reader writes "MIT's campus newspaper, The Tech is reporting that the university will be receiving $30 million from Dolby Laboratories. This payment is in return for MIT's vote on the "Grand Alliance" committee responsible for choosing the audio standard for digital television (DTV). Dolby also appears to have paid off Zenith, another committee member. The professor representing MIT on the committee stands to receive $8 million personally. But here's where it gets truly odd. After dutifully voting for the Dolby standard, MIT attempted to collect on the bribe, but Dolby refused to pay. So, MIT sued to collect. In the end, MIT and Dolby settled out of court. Says The Tech, "There's clearly a conflict of interest," [MIT's Jack] Turner, [associate director of the Technology Licensing Office] says, but, "it can't be avoided. MIT's reputation as being pure... in its academic evaluation of things is very important." Yeah sure."

8 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. She blinded me with... by Qui-Gon · · Score: 5, Funny

    8 million dollars!?

    --

    We are blind to the Worlds within us
    waiting to be born...
  2. What the hell is the point of a comittee? by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is everyone corrupt anymore?

    How do I sign up to be a comittee member so I can get bought with absolutely no reprecussions?

    --
    You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
  3. Bribery as acceptable business practice? by systembug · · Score: 4, Funny

    And Court sanctioned too. I'm somewhat speechless. You americans are a bunch of tough cookies.

    --
    The only skin on a computer should be porn.
  4. confucious says by ealar+dlanvuli · · Score: 4, Funny

    he who sleeps with big corperate monies is sure to get a STD.

    --
    I live in a giant bucket.
  5. Couldn't their students help them out? by grungebox · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why did they need to take Dolby's bribe? Couldn't they get their students to help?

  6. Here is a simple formula for bribe takers by nizo · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. First you get the money offerred.

    2. THEN you vote as asked (if you want future bribes).

    I mean if someone offers you a bribe, are you expecting them to keep their word later as well???

    --
    I Am My Own Worst Enemy
  7. In Other News by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Politicians suspected of recieving "gifts" in return for favorable legislation.

  8. Re:American origin a factor? by AaronLawrence · · Score: 2, Funny

    Crikey, you're not really using France as an example of rational economic decisions are you!? ;)

    --
    For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert. - Arthur C. Clarke