Dolby Buys MIT's DTV Vote for $30 Million 192
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."
She blinded me with... (Score:5, Funny)
What the hell is the point of a comittee? (Score:5, Funny)
How do I sign up to be a comittee member so I can get bought with absolutely no reprecussions?
Bribery as acceptable business practice? (Score:4, Funny)
confucious says (Score:4, Funny)
Couldn't their students help them out? (Score:5, Funny)
Here is a simple formula for bribe takers (Score:4, Funny)
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???
In Other News (Score:1, Funny)
Re:American origin a factor? (Score:2, Funny)