Aggressive lobbying of state and local officials pays off for Uber

Washington

ON A Thursday in June, bureaucrats from Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) made their move against Uber Technologies. The fast- growing ride-for-hire company was told its popular service was, in fact, illegal and the firm needed to immediately cease all operations in the state.

Far from being intimidated, Uber was ready to fight back. The company immediately called on one of its most potent weapons: its ever-growing list of smartphone-wielding customers. A notice sent to Uber users in Virginia included the e…