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 4
Leaf #:
000565
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:
July 25, 2024
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William C. Pkellkk, Cross Examination. 2415 that I may have had of an exhibitor who lias run pictures at one time, within the last few months or so. Q. How do you get your films, Mr. Preller? A. They are forwarded to me from the several manufacturers from whom we purchase. Q. That is, from Xew Jersey and Pennsylvania and New York? A. Yes, sir. And Chicago. Q. There are not any of them that are made up in Minnesota? A. No. None. Q. They are shipped from these places to your office? A. Y^es, sir. Q. And then reshipped by you to your customers located in the States you have named? A. Yres. Q. What per cent, of your total weekly receipts is made up of the payments that come from the exhibitors for these films? A. I should judge, about 90 per cent. Q. Y"ou charge these theatres the same thing for the reels of the different manufacturers, of the same age? A. Y'es, sir. Q. You pay for these reels the same per reel? A. I understand they do. Q. Y^ou do not pay directly through your branch? A. No, sir. Q. Y'ou send the money on to New Y^ork? A. I just report to Xew Y'ork. Q. And when do you make your report? A. Weekly report. Q. What does that weekly report state? A. The number of reels purchased. Q. From each manufacturer? A. Y^es, sir. Q. Is that the extent of it? A. That is the extent. Q. Y^ou do not state the number of customers you have served that week, on the report? A. Not on that report, no. Q. How often do you send in a report stating the number of customers you are serving? A. It is a weekly report, giving the outline of the number of theatres we have got for that week. Q. Does that report show anything besides the number of theatres that you serve? A. Yes; it shows my weekly expense. Q. Does it show the number of theatres in your district, as estimated by you? A. Well, it is an accurate