In Paris

For more than a year all U. S. talking films except Warner Bros, have been barred out of Germany. The reason: many German inventors and the producing companies backing them contest U. S. priority in patent rights on sound reproduction devices. Patent suits involving these devices are now pending in German and U. S. courts; to adjust the suits and settle differences has become necessary because both sides lose money fighting each other. Accordingly last week in Paris gathered delegates to an historic cinema conference. Present were representatives of the great U. S. and German concerns interested in talkie patents--John Edward Otterson of Electrical Research Products Co., Inc., Charles J. Ross, John Cecil Graham representing Paramount, United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Pathe, Radio Corp., George E. Quigley of Warner Bros. They settled down to debate their problems amicably until they decide whether to make an agreement or start a trade war. Will Hays, on the motion of Dr. Curt Sobernheim, general manager of the Commerz-und Privat-Bank of Berlin, was elected chairman. Said Chairman Hays (Presbyterian elder) : "Who can say . . . that the talking picture may not be the mightiest of all agencies for world peace?"

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