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 (1914)

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:
1914
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 5
Leaf #:
00067
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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Petitioner's Exhibit No. 263. 2517 association called the Moving Picture Theatre Protective Association of Chicago, with varied objects, among them being resistance to oppressive city ordinances, and in general (o further the interests of the members. "A forward step has been taken by this association in the matter of film rentals. A new renting exchange has been formed, called the Independent Film Exchange, incorporated under the laws of Illionis, of which I have the honorto be president. "Reciprocal arrangements have been made by which this exchange will rent films in Chicago only to members of the Moving Picture Theatre Protective Association, which will confine its rentals to the Independent Film Exchange. This system will strengthen both the exchange and the association, I am prepared to assist in the furthering of this movement throughout the United States in any city capable of supporting such an exchange. "The activities of these exchanges are not to be confined to their home cities, the exclusive feature being applied only in the city of origin. I will be pleased to hear from owners of picture theatres in other cities, and will give information as to details of organization. The efforts of these local associations need not be confined to the rental of films, but can include united action upon and question of interest. "Attention need hardly be drawn to the strength of such an association against all opposing interests that may be inimical. Future of Industry Promising. "I would say to those pessimists who are doubtful as to the future of the moving picture industry, that, in spite of the present unsettled — not to say critical — condition of affairs, the future appears to me to be more promising than ever. Case after case can be cited demonstrating the increasing interest in motography upon the part of the general public. If there were any evidence of a lessening of this public interest, I would consider the situation of serious concern. "It should be gratifying, however, to every one interested that public interest is growing, and the general average tone of moving picture shows is improving. So far