Apparently deciding that it was time play by the rules set forth in Washington, Google Inc. has filed paperwork to register a political action committee, Google NetPAC, with the Federal Election Commission.

The move represents a clear decision by the search engine giant to match the direction of other corporate leaders in their overt attempts to influence pertinent legislation. Google's PAC will seek to foster the company focus on a free and open Internet for all users.

Google has been at odds with recent legislation in Washington, particularly the issue of network neutrality. The search engine leader strongly opposes the movement towards a "tiered Internet," one where web sites could charge extra for speedier delivery of content to certain users willing to front the cost.

The move by Google is said by many to be a direct push to move into the political arena and reach for the Republican vote. To date, Google and its independent-minded employees have tended to make more campaign contributions to Democrats. Insiders speak to that tendency as being a part of the Republican push back against Google and its views.

Though the company has always had a presence in Washington, Google has spent far less funds on lobbying that other tech companies like Cisco and Intel. Details on the funding of the PAC were still being worked out.