Motion Picture Distributing and Sales Company
Quick Summary
The Motion Picture Distributing and Sales Company was an American entity formed in May 1910. It served as a significant anti-monopoly organization within the burgeoning film industry. This company represented 47 exchanges across 27 cities and provided a united front for independent filmmakers against the dominant Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC), often referred to as the "Movie Trust".1
The MPPC attempted to control the U.S. film industry by pooling patents and controlling raw film stock. In response, the Motion Picture Distributing and Sales Company allowed independents to compete effectively, capturing about 40 percent of the American film business. Eventually, this company split into two rival organizations: the Mutual Film Corporation and the Universal Film Manufacturing Company.1
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