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 #:
000289
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:
September 21, 2023
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Samuel Katz, Direct Examination. 2739 (>. After the General Film Company began to operate the American Film Service Exchange did yon see any change in this respect? A. Why, there seemed to be an immediate evolution of affairs. That is, the programs had increased wonderfully after the General Film Company had taken hold of it, and I was able to get bookings in advance, and as a rule we were given our pictures, unless it was due to express causes, but as a rule we were given our service. Q. And does that situation still prevail? A. Yes, sir. Q. You still get service which you are able to announce in advance and advertise? A. Yes, sir, for two weeks in advance. Q. During the period that you have been an exhibitor of motion pictures have you been familiar with the prices of the program service to various theatres? A. Yes, sir. Q. How do the prices you paid in 1909 and 1910 compare with the prices you are now paying? A. Well, really, I think in figuring it down in arithmetic I am getting it for about one hundred per cent, less for the value in this respect: I paid thirty-five dollars at the Illinois and as I figure it, I used to run one reel for thirty-five dollars and I am getting four for that now, and I get the four reels practically as new as I got the one reel. Q. And you say the price is the same? A. Yes, sir. Q. Have you observed during the years you have been an exhibitor whether or not the character, quality and artistic excellence of the motion pictures of the licensed producers have improved? A. They have improved, and principally since the Patents Company has taken hold of affairs. That is, we could rely on their makers to make a certain amount of film, and we could always depend absolutely on getting that kind of film. Q. I think you have stated you always used licensed service in the main? A. Yes, sir. Q. Are you solicited from time to time by the representatives of the unlicensed exchanges? A. Yes, sir. Q. Do they make you any inducements in the way of price and program? A. Yes, sir. Q. How do you find their prices compare with the prices you are paying? A. Just about the same, I think. I don't think there is very much difference in the grade of service that I use.