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 3
Leaf #:
000201
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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H. N. Marvin, Direct Examination. 1427 had been licensed by the Motion Picture Patents Company? 1 A. There was. Q. Was the license of the American Film Service Exchange cancelled by the Motion Picture Patents Company? A. It was. Q. When? A. The license was cancelled on May 15th, 1909. Mr. Geosvenor: What is this paper that you are using for refreshing your recollection, Mr. Marvin? The Witness: This is a memorandum which I have pre ® pared to refresh my memory with reference to the details of the cancellations, organizations and consolidations, of these several exchanges. Mr. Grosvenor: May I see the memorandum? The Witness: Yes sir. Mr. Grosvenor : Please mark this paper for identification, so that I may have it later on. o The Memorandum referred to was marked by the Examiner "Petitioner's Exhibit No. 235, for identification. " By Mr. Kingsley : Q. This memorandum was prepared under your supervision and direction, Mr. Marvin? A. It was. Q. And it is based upon records and documents in the files of the Motion Picture Patents Company? A. It is. Q. Were you personally aware of these matters regarding which you are now refreshing your memory at the time 4 they took place? A. I was. Q. Now, you may complete your answer regarding the American Film Service Exchange, Mr. Marvin, but first I will ask you when was the license cancelled? A. The license was cancelled on the 15th day of May, 1909. Q. What was the occasion or reason for the cancellation? A. The license was cancelled because the exchange was not