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 3
Leaf #:
000182
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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1408 H. N. Marvin, Direct Examination. what they contracted to do, only in the original agreement they assured me that under no circumstances would either of the other two secure 2nd run service. On this assurance I gave them my service. At the suggestion of one of the exchanges I endeavored to form an alliance with the other two theatres and get service that would be satisfactory to all, patrons as well as ourselves, at a reasonable price. My efforts were in vain, as they well knew I would at last have to give up trying to secure the service I contracted to get. What kind of a pull either of them have, I am unable to state. Of course I was powerless to better myself with the association, as Birmingham was the only town that could furnish me with anything at all new. What I wish to lay before you is this. I tried in every way possible to obtain the associated service at any price but was compelled to give up on account of the relations existing between the exchanges in Birmingham and the managers of the other two theatres here. I knew and know now that these films are far superior to any others made, but of course now that I am in the field have to put up with the best I can get, so am using independent stuff until I can get relief from some other source. Possibly you can suggest some way out of the difficulty. Yours truly, A. W. RHORER. Associated Reels used during three weeks. Way of the Cross Vita 8/21 King's Messenger King's Protege? Eclipse 8/21 Obeying Her Mother A tale of the West Essanay 4/7 The Ring Leader Pathe 3/17 Eternal Romance Enchanted Guitar Pranks Bio 8/30 The Mills of the Gods 8/30 Edward saving his enemy's sister. Ponce de Leon To Stout The Sound Sleeper Bio 4/12 The blight of sin Selig 9/2 The Galley Slave Vita 9/4