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 1
Leaf #:
000296
Language:
English
Collection:
Government & Law and Early Cinema
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:
May 23, 2024
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1 274 Minutes, General Film Co. Percentages of Licensed Exchanges operated by General Film Company 75.4 Attention was called to the necessity of providing a suitable projecting room in the city of Chicago for the exhibition of new pictures for censoring by the local Censor Board of that City, and on motion, it was unanimously agreed that the projecting room at the Spoor branch be placed at the disposal of the licensed manufacturers and importers for this purpose. The question of making new arrangements with Pathe Freres for the purpose of motion pictures for use in Canada was discussed, and Mr. Berst on behalf of Pathe Freres submitted a tentative proposition based on five prints of four releases weekly. Mr. Berst retired from the meeting while the proposition was under discussion. After fully discussing the matter, it was moved that the proposition be not accepted and that the arrangements heretofore existing between Pathe Freres and the Canadian exchanges acquired by this company for the supply of motion pictures be continued, if possible. Motion carried unanimously and Mr. Berst was recalled and informed of this action. In order to facilitate the carrying out of the authority given at the previous meeting of the Board regarding the Canadian business, it was moved that the President be empowered to sell the Canadian business acquired from George Kleine and P. L. Waters to a responsible party at a price which will cover the cost of said business to this company, plus a cash commission of not less than $5000.00. Carried unanimously. In view of the date for the annual meeting of the company being January 17th, 1911, it was on motion unanimously agreed that the next meeting of the Board be held on January 16th, 1911. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Attest : Wm. Pelzer, Secretary. President.