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)

Page scan 000355 from 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 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 4
Leaf #:
000355
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:
September 12, 2024
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Albert J. Gilugham, Direct Examination. 2205 patches and films where the sprockets were lorn out, and that were destroyed on the machines, they made a concession, and we were permitted to return eighty per cent, of what we had purchased, instead of a hundred per cent, as the original requirements called for. Q. And when you commenced to make your returns of film, what film did you select for the purpose of returning? A. We selected the films that naturally were in the worst condition. Q. And the films that you returned, were they of any use? A. I wouldn't consider them of any use from an exchange standpoint. Q. Now, what demand was there at that time in your territory, for the so-called educational, scientific and scenic films? A. The demand at that time was very small, but there has been considerable demand created since, for scenic and educational films. After the first we retained all of a scenic and educational nature, and put them on our shelves, and we are to-day supplying in the City of Detroit and in Grand Eapids, six or seven churches, we supply the Ypsilanti State Normal School from time to time; also, the Ann Arbor University. We furnish films to the Jackson Prison, and also at Lapeer — Mr. Grosvenor: Objected to as immaterial. By Mr. Caldwell: Q. Now, did this rule as to the return of film operate to prevent you from keeping back, if you were so disposed, all of your scenic, educational, and scientific films, for the purpose of accumulating a library? A. No, sir. Q. The percentage of films of that character is quite small, is it not, as compared to the total? A. The percentage of scenic and educational films, as compared to dramatic, and comedy, and comedy-dramatic reels, is about five and one-half to seven and a half per cent, of the total. Q. Did you find that the requirements of the Patents Company license, that the films should be leased instead of sold, operated to prevent exchanges from getting just as much use out of the film as under the old arrangement, where it was sold? A. No, sir. We do not consider films; to be desirable for renting purposes after they are seven