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 (1914)

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:
1914
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 5
Leaf #:
000255
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 21, 2023
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Frank Cook, Direct Examination. 2705 weeks in advance, secure our paper, advertising and press matter and carry on our business through the efforts of the General Film Company, like a legitimate theatre. Q. Do you find that by taking service from two exchanges, one at Milwaukee, and one at Chicago, you are able to keep your programs clear in Milwaukee? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do the General Film Company's exchanges co-operate with you in your attempt to keep your programs clear? A. Most assuredly, yes. Q. Do you ever make special requests of the General Film Company for changes in your programs for certain subjects or reels which you deem desirable? A. I do. Q. Do you find that they are willing to co-operate with you? A. Yes, sir, always. Q. Do they grant your requests? A. Yes, sir. Q. Did you have any experience before the General Film Company entered your field of exchanges making promises to the exhibitors which they did not keep? A. We used to set up all night waiting to get a program for the next day. Q. Do you mean that literally, that you would sit up all night or that you — A. We would stay there until we got a program. Q. And that would mean several hours sometimes? A. Yes, sir. Q. Now, in getting programs under these conditions would you get the kind of program you wanted? A. Nothing like what we get now. Q. Are you familiar with the motion picture situation in Milwaukee at the present time? A. Yes, sir. Q. How many unlicensed houses are there in Milwaukee? A. There are about fifty-three all told, and I think it is about an even break. Q. You think it is about an even break? A. Yes, sir. Q. Are there any large houses in Milwaukee which are showing unlicensed motion pictures? A. Mr. Frauler's house the Butterfly. Q. What is the seating capacity of the Butterfly Theatre? A. About 1200. Q. Are you yourself, or is the Saxe Amusement Enterprise operating any house which is showing the unlicensed pictures? A. No, sir. Q. Do you show any unlicensed pictures at any time in any of your theatres? A. No, sir.