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 6
Leaf #:
000300
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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330C> Petitionees Exhibit No. 267. point out before, one cannot use a patented invention because he has improved it. The other questions discussed are carefully considered by Judge Hazel and we see no reason to add to his opinion in this regard. Our conclusion may be briefly stated — Believing, as we do, that Goodwin was the first to produce a transparent sensitive pellicle for use in roller cameras, the conclusion naturally follows that his patent is entitled to a liberal construction. Doubts should be resolved in its favor and care taken not to confuse the art at the date of issue with the art as it existed at the date of the application, eleven years before. So considered and construed, we think the claims in controversy valid and infringed. We fully realize the incongruity of submitting a complicated question of chemistry to a tribunal composed of law vers, even though assisted by such eminent chemists as Dr. Chandler and Professor Main, who have made comprehensible the salient features of an unusually complex and difficult controversy. It is said that a motion is pending in the District Court for an order extending the time during which the complainant may recover profits and damages to the date of the Goodwin patent. This motion was postponed by stipulation until after the decision of this court and we are asked to make this affirmance "subject to the motion and stipulation referred to." We do not see that any action by this court is necessary as the District Court will have full jurisdiction in the premises. The other assignments of error are sufficiently discussed in -Judge Hazel's opinion and we see no necessity for adding to what is there so clearly stated. The decree is affirmed. Mr. Geosvbnor: I also introduce this as part of the cross examination of this witness to go with the diagrams introduced, and particularly with the testimony given by him on cross examination relating to those diagrams and the use of the term "Edison film."