When President Barack Obama stepped in on behalf of Apple last weekend and overturned a US International Trade Commission patent infringement ruling it caught many in Washington by surprise. But the move by the White House revealed how Apple has been recalibrating its position in the US capital under the leadership of Tim Cook, its chief executive.

According to lobbying records, Apple has spent $2.5m since early last year lobbying Congress, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice on issues including reform of the ITC and patents, among other issues.

The company still spends far less lobbying in Washington than Google, which has spent $7.8m lobbying so far this year compared with $1.4m for Apple. But its focus on the DOJ last year was critical.