The Edison side stressed the
superiority its phonographs' reproduction while the Victor
company relied the reputation its recording talent. move into the
disc business was direct assault Victor's market and TAE
Inc. long Edison stayed away from
the disc format, the two companies enjoyed period of
co-existence. had be
prepared for fierce fight with Victor, for the advertising
manager put 1915: "It isn't sufficient for say we
have the best machine. TAE Inc. also asked
them "if can use swing arm any kind" move the
reproducer across the disc.IX- 9
copying the Victrola spring motor, first asked the legal
department would violate Victor's patents. ^
The Victor and Edison companies had nicely split the
market for phonographs: the Victrola took the affluent classes
and the city dwellers, while the Edison cylinder was the
favorite rural America.^
The advertising department had already been employed a
campaign against Victor over the relative merits the two
systems sound reproduction. could expect vigorous response. The
. many cases dealer carried both Victor and
Edison lines fit both ends the market. Victor have spent the last 14-15 years
making this market and they won't let walk and take it."
12
Advised its legal department that the commercial
considerations producing disc warranted the risk patent
litigation, the Company braced itself for long legal dispute
over patents
