In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants (1913)

Record Details:

Title:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants
Date:
1913
Publisher:
New York, Appeal Printing Co.
Volume:
In the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, petitioner, vs. Motion Picture Patents Company, et al., defendants : record volume 2
Leaf #:
000612
Language:
English
Collection:
Early Cinema and Government & Law
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
The Museum of Modern Art Library, New York
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
These seven volumes contain the testimonies and supporting documents from the U.S. District Court's antitrust lawsuit against the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC). Formed in 1908, the MPPC (sometimes referred to asœ"the Edison Trust" or just "the Trust") sought to control the American film industry through pooling patents and demanding that producers and exhibitors acquire licenses to those patents. Independent producers and exhibitors, who refused to license the patents, argued that the MPPC was an unlawful monopoly. In 1912 and 1913, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania heard testimonies from both MPPC members, such as Siegmund Lubin, and "Independents" who later became Hollywood moguls, such as William Fox. Ultimately, in 1915, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which found the MPPC in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and spelled the end for the already weakening MPPC. -- Eric Hoyt, 2012
Date Added:
September 21, 2023
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4 1230 J. C. Graham, Direct Examination. We will also be jobbers for the standard makes of moving picture machines and carry on hand a stock of Edison, Powers, Motiograph and Pathe machines, also a large stock of machine repairs for all these machines. We will have a complete stock of all kinds of supplies for moving picture theatres and will maintain our reputation as complete moving picture show outfitters, furnishing everything except the building. We enclose herewith catalog quoting prices on all the different supplies. In going into the St. Louis territory, we realize to the fullest extent that we will have to deal with the best class of exhibitors in the United States. We know we will have to furnish a service that willl be the very best on the market in order to secure your business. We wish to assure you that we are equipped for meeting all conditions and have no fear in making this statement to you because we know that we have the goods to back it up. As we stated at the beginning of this letter, if you are in the market for the most up-to-date film service in the United States at the most reasonable price, combined with fair business dealings, you will make no mistake by corresponding with the Yale Company. We only ask a trial knowing that we can satisfy you in every particular. Assuring you that we have the best interests of the exhibitors at heart, knowing full well that our success depends on the good will of our customers, and trusting that you will give us the benefit of your business, we beg to remain, Yours truly, YALE FILM EXCHANGE COMPANY. WE SELL MOVING PICTUKE MACHINES TO DEAL EKS. Address All Communications to the Company. By Mr. Grosvenor : Q. I show you another circular headed "Yale Film Exchange Company," dated August 1, 1910, and ask who sent that circular out, and where it was sent out?