The creation specialized
functions the organization had the wholehearted approval of
Edison, who viewed this more efficient way business. William Gilmore had initiated
the "patent wars" the motion picture business and this
dominated its affairs until the creation the Motion Picture
Patents Company 1908. His failure fully
protect his duplication and manufacture records cost him
dearly the twentieth century. Edison's strategy for this business
was for monopoly based his patents and the legal
department relentlessly harried the competition the courts,
driving many them from business.
The legal department grew out Edison's close relations
with his patent lawyers.
He stressed the economy centralizing all purchasing, for
example, into one centralized department that would administer
the needs the Edison enterprise. Each
was run professional manager. The patent position was
equally important the phonograph business where several
crucial Edison patents were disputed. was devoted obtaining and
defending Edison's patents and its work the 1900s made a
vital part the organization. The advertising, accounting, legal and
purchasing departments administered growing number of
transactions the first decade the twentieth century.10
collar work force West Orange and the creation of
specialized departments. The complex legal arrangements
of the companies formed market phonographs the nineteenth
century provided plenty headaches for the legal department
