AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC

Summary

Justice Breyer, writing for a unanimous Court, held that §13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act does not authorize the FTC to seek, or courts to award, equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement. The provision authorizes prospective injunctive relief, while other provisions expressly authorize monetary relief subject to conditions and limitations that the FTC cannot bypass through §13(b). The Court rejected arguments based on traditional equitable powers, congressional acquiescence, and policy considerations, reversed the Ninth Circuit’s judgment, and remanded for further proceedings. There were no separate opinions.