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 #:
000573
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. Preller, Redirect Examination. 2423 $52.00 which was placed to your credit by the Motion Picture Patents Company, 80 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Thus clearing away the difficulty between you. We have frequently expressed our regrets that this has happened as it is evident that there was a misunderstanding however they are the powers to be and we have to abide by their wishes. The pill may be bitter to swallow but the first effects will soon wear on0 and everything will go along smoothly therefore we ask you to cheer up and we will try out best to redeem this by giving you the very best service possible and if at any time it does not meet with your approval kindly notify us and we will be governed accordingly. The understanding is that you wish to run twelve reels and two sets of song slides per week. We have reduced your rate as per our recent phone conversation. If we have the pleasure of supplying you with films at the first of the year we will of course make your rate $27.00 again. As per our telephone conversation we made you shipment of films and hope the selection will meet with your approval. In regard to putting the Waverly and Cedar Rapids on the same circuit we will not put the three houses on the same circuit and believe that we have reasons to justify us in our decision. Yours very truly, GENERAL FILM COMPANY. Wm. C. Preller, WCP/BG Branch Manager. Redirect examination by Mr. Kingsley: Q. Do you say that the price of motion pictures to the exhibitor is governed by the age? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do you find that when you have pictures of the various producers of the same age that the exhibitors have a preference? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do they express that preference to you? A. Yes, sir. Q. And do you endeavor to place your orders accordingly, so that your exhibitors will be satisfied? A. Yes, sir. Q. Mr. Preller, how long have you been in the motion picture business? A. Since 1907. 4