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 #:
000336
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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314 William H1. Swanson, Direct Examination. Fort Pitt Hotel at Pittsburgh, in a letter signed K. W. UU man, which took place, I believe, on a Sunday. Q. In 1907? A. In 1907. Q. When was that? In November? A. November, I think so. I attended that meeting and was elected chairman of it, and continued as chairman for several months. We met at several different cities, in forming our organization, wrote the by-laws for it, and organized it. Q. Who else was interested in its formation? A. There was not anyone particularly that I could see, that is, actively. They were all mentally interested, but not actively. Mr. Willis: I cannot hear you. What was that? The Witness: Not anyone other than myself Avas actively engaged. There did not seem to be anyone willing to give up their time and money to the formation outside of myself. Q. Did you see any of the Edison licensees, or any of the officers of the Edison licensees, in connection with the agreements; for instance, you referred to that agreement as providing that members should obtain their film only from the Edison licensees? A. Yes, sir, I saw all of the Edison licensees in regard to the matter at various times. Q. Please state those whom you recall? A. As to whom I saw? Q. Yes. A. I saw the head or representatives of the Selig, Kleine, and the Essanay, Lubin, Edison, Patlie, Vitagraph ; in fact, all of them. Q. Did Kleine refuse to join the association? A. Mr. Kleine did join the association, and afterwards withdrew, for the reason that the association did not permit him to release the number of various brands that he wanted to release per week. They wanted to reduce him to three and he wanted nine, and asked for nine. He told me afterwards he was willing to compromise on six. Q. He was engaged merely in importing? A. In importing. He withdrew from the Film Service Association at the meeting that occurred at Buffalo. Q. That was in February, 1908? A. I don't recall what month it was, but it was some time after the Chicago