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 #:
000568
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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I 2418 William C. Preller, Gross Examination. these film in licensed houses as they desire the Patents Company to cancel as many license as possible so that the Independent people can have a better opportunity of putting their service into houses now satisfied with licensed stuff. We certainly would regret it if you do not cancel this booking and with this information before you, we will not cut out the film for Friday unless you wire us. Now, friend Bassett, do not take any chances on the above booking as we know you will regret it. Yours very truly, GENERAL FILM COMPANY. Wm. C. Preller, WCP/ER Branch Manager. Petitioners' Exhibit No. 244. (Letterhead) GENERAL FILM COMPANY. Des Moines, Iowa. May 12th, 1911. J. S. Bassett, Independence, Iowa. Dear Sir: Your telegram before us and cannot find words to express our regrets at the attitude you have taken in reference to running the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill film. However, if our accounts take chances on cancellation of their license it is beyond us. You evidently do not realize what steps you have taken and as you have made other arrangements we are taking you off our shipping records taking effect on May 11th. We wish to take this opportunity of thanking you for many past favors and hope that nothing serious will be the results of this move. Yours very truly, GENERAL FILM COMPANY. Wm. C. Preller, WCP/ER Branch Manager.