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 2
Leaf #:
000427
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:
June 13, 2024
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A. J. Clapham, Cross Examination. 1045 By Mr. Kingsley: Q. I show you a letter dated January 12th, 1910, on the letterhead of the Theatre Film Service Company, 76 and 78 Second Street, San Francisco, and ask you if the signature is yours (handing paper to witness)? A. (witness examining paper) : Yes, that is my signature. Mr. Kingsley : I offer that in evidence. The paper identified by the witness is marked Defendants' Exhibit No. 24, and is as follows: Defendants' Exhibit No. 24. THEATRE FILM SERVICE CO. (Incorporated) 76 and 78 Second Street. (Part of letterhead omitted.) San Francisco, 1/12/10. Motion Picture Patents Company, 80 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. Gentlemen : — Please be advised that the writer will attend the Film Service Convention in New York — January 28th. In regards to the recent controversy, relative to the sale of film, would be pleased to take the matter up personally and furnish you any information that you might need Yours truly, THEATRE FILM SERVICE COMPANY, Per A. J. Clapham. AJC/MH. (Rubber stamp: Received Jan. 18, 1910. Ansd. 22/4/10. G. F. S. 2