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 #:
000471
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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Defendants' Exhibit No. 137. 2921 or place of exhibition is now closed, temporarily for repairs or for the winter, indicate with the word inactive. Note. — We are stating the population of your town as noted on our records. If incorrect, please place the cornet population opposite the words : "Corrected to.1' Defendants' Exhibit No. 137. Form 452 2 U. S. POSTAL CARD. SO Fifth Ave., New York, , 1910. Dear Sir: For statistical purposes we desire to secure the names of places and exhibitors usually showing Motion Pictures in your City or Town. A former inquiry sent you has no doubt been mislaid. We would appreciate your furnishing us with this information, and attach a return postal for your convenience in replying. o We have received since September the 1st lists from 75 per cent, of the towns or cities written to, and trust we will secure the balance by November the 10th. Thanking you for the courtesy we feel sure you will extend us, we remain, Yours very truly, MOTION PICTURE PATENTS COMPANY.