The Paramount Decision

The Paramount Decision was a 1948 court ruling that changed how major Hollywood studios operated. Before, studios owned both the movies and the theaters where they were shown, which limited competition and choice for viewers. The court ordered studios to divest their theater chains and stop controlling every aspect of film distribution and exhibition. This aimed to promote fair competition, prevent monopolies, and give independent theaters and filmmakers a better chance. In essence, it transformed the film industry into a more open market, encouraging diversity and creativity in filmmaking and distribution.