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 #:
000583
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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William Pelzeu, Direct Examination. 557 Q. And during this period, he has been one of the ten manufacturers? A. He is an importer. Q. He is one of the ten licensed manufacturers and importers of the Patents Company? A. Yes, sir. Q. And one of the ten to whom this distribution has been made? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do you decline to state what his salary is also? A. Yes, sir. Q. Let us consider next the Treasurer He is now yourself? A. Yes, sir. Q. And I believe you have testified that you represent with the Patents Company, the Edison interests? A. Yres, sir. Q. And do you represent their interests with the General Film Company? A. No, sir. Q. You are a free lance with the General Film Company, is that it? A. Yes, sir. Q. And how long have you been Treasurer? Since December 16th, 1912? A. Since December 16th, 1912. Q. Who preceded you as Treasurer? A. Mr. Samuel Long. Q. Of which of the ten licensed manufacturers, if any, was he an officer? A. Kalem Company. Q. And was he Treasurer from the inception of the General Film Company until you succeeded him? A. No. He was preceded by Mr. Berst. Q. Mr. Berst, who is now President — A. (Interrupting). Who was President. Subsequently President. Q. Then Mr Berst and Mr Long and yourself between you, have, one or the other, been Treasurer of the General Film Company since its inception? A Yes, sir. Q. You stated that Paul Melies is now the Secretary? A. Yes, sir. Q. And he is also Director? A. Yes, sir. Q. Succeeding his father, Gaston Melies? A. As a Director, yes, sir. Q. Gaston Melies is one of the ten licensed manufacturers? A. Yes, sir. Q. Mr. Pelzer, in view of your production of the statements of the payment of royalties today, 1 will not ask you to produce the books, which I requested of you yesterday, but as Treasurer of the Company, I will ask you