blue chip stamps manor drug stores argued march decided june antitrust consent decree petitioner new blue chip required offer substantial number common stock shares new trading stamp business retailers like respondent previously used stamp service shareholders petitioner corporate predecessor charging new blue chip petitioners devised scheme dissuade offerees means materially misleading statements containing overly pessimistic appraisal new business purchasing securities rejected shares might later offered public higher price respondent brought class action damages violation provisions securities exchange act act rule promulgated thereunder securities exchange commission sec make unlawful use deceptive devices make misleading statements connection purchase sale security acting basis rule enunciated birnbaum newport steel person neither purchaser seller securities may bring action act sec rule district dismissed respondent complaint appeals reversed concluding facts warranted exception birnbaum rule noted prior cases held rule exclude persons owning contractual rights buy sell securities offering securities case compliance antitrust decree served function securities purchase sales contract held private damages action rule confined actual purchasers sellers securities birnbaum rule bars respondent maintaining suit pp longstanding judicial acceptance rule together congress failure reject interpretation argues significantly favor acceptance rule evidence texts act securities act supports birnbaum rule congress wished provide statutory remedies others purchasers sellers securities expressly pp policy considerations predominantly favor adherence rule failure follow well result vexatious litigation caused widely expanded class plaintiffs bringing strike suits rule opening litigation hazy factual issues proof largely depend uncorroborated oral testimony effect person situated like respondent consulted security issuer prospectus paid attention representations injured pp respondent derives entitlement antitrust decree otherwise possess contractual rights relating offered stock occupies position disappointed offered stock registered act claims overly pessimistic prospectus caused pass chance purchase ample evidence congress intend extend private cause action money damages nonpurchasing offeree stock registered act loss opportunity purchase due overly pessimistic prospectus pp exception birnbaum rule appeals relied upon expose rule erosion depending upon whether particular group plaintiffs deemed discrete potential purchasers general warrant departing rule result unsatisfactory basis establishing liability conduct business transactions pp rehnquist delivered opinion burger stewart white marshall powell joined powell filed concurring opinion stewart marshall joined post blackmun filed dissenting opinion douglas brennan joined post allyn kreps argued cause petitioners briefs michael zimmerman richard doty thomas ready james ryan argued cause respondent brief brandlin david ferber argued cause securities exchange commission amicus curiae urging affirmance brief solicitor general bork lawrence nerheim richard nathan justice rehnquist delivered opinion case requires us consider whether offerers stock offering made pursuant antitrust consent decree registered securities act stat amended et seq act may maintain private cause action money damages allege offerer violated provisions rule securities exchange commission neither purchased sold offered shares see birnbaum newport steel cert denied filed civil antitrust action blue chip stamp old blue chip company business providing trading stamps retailers nine retailers owned shares action terminated entry consent decree blue chip stamp supp cd cal aff sub nom thrifty shoppers scrip decree contemplated plan reorganization whereby old blue chip merged newly formed corporation blue chip stamps new blue chip holdings majority shareholders old blue chip reduced new blue chip one petitioners required plan offer substantial number shares common stock retailers used stamp service past shareholders old company terms plan offering nonshareholder users proportional past stamp usage shares offered units consisting common stock debentures reorganization plan carried offering registered sec required act prospectus distributed offerers required act somewhat offered units actually purchased two years offering respondent former user stamp service therefore offeree offering filed suit district central district california defendants petitioners old new blue chip eight nine majority shareholders old blue chip directors new blue chip collectively called blue chip respondent complaint alleged inter alia prospectus prepared distributed blue chip connection offering materially misleading overly pessimistic appraisal blue chip status future prospects alleged blue chip intentionally made prospectus overly pessimistic order discourage respondent members allegedly large class represents accepting intended bargain offer rejected shares might later offered public higher price complaint alleged class members reliance false misleading prospectus failed purchase offered units respondent therefore sought behalf alleged class damages representing lost opportunity purchase units right purchase previously rejected units price addition sought exemplary damages portion litigation thus initiated us whether respondent may base action rule securities exchange commission without either bought sold securities described allegedly misleading prospectus district dismissed respondent complaint failure state claim upon relief might granted appeal appeals ninth circuit respondent pressed asserted claim rule divided panel appeals sustained position reversed district ninth circuit denied rehearing en banc granted blue chip petition certiorari consideration correctness determination appeals requires us consider limitations class plaintiffs may maintain private cause action money damages violation rule whether respondent within class ii early days new deal congress enacted two landmark statutes regulating securities act described act provide full fair disclosure character securities sold interstate foreign commerce mails prevent frauds sale thereof purposes securities exchange act stat amended et seq act described act provide regulation securities exchanges markets operating interstate foreign commerce mails prevent inequitable unfair practices exchanges markets purposes various sections act dealt length required contents registration statements prospectuses expressly provided private civil causes action section gave right action reason false registration statement person acquiring security act gave right sue seller security engaged proscribed practices respect prospectuses communication person purchasing security act divided two titles title denominated regulation securities exchanges title ii denominated amendments securities act section act makes unlawful person use employ connection purchase sale security registered national securities exchange security registered manipulative deceptive device contrivance contravention rules regulations commission may prescribe necessary appropriate public interest protection investors commission referred section securities exchange commission created act section act provided contract made violation provision chapter rule regulation thereunder void acting authority granted act commission promulgated rule cfr providing follows employment manipulative deceptive devices shall unlawful person directly indirectly use means instrumentality interstate commerce mails facility national securities exchange employ device scheme artifice defraud make untrue statement material fact omit state material fact necessary order make statements made light circumstances made misleading engage act practice course business operates operate fraud deceit upon person connection purchase sale security despite contrast provisions rule numerous carefully drawn express civil remedies provided acts held district eastern district pennsylvania implied private right action rule kardon national gypsum supp occasion deal subject years later time confirmed virtually discussion overwhelming consensus district courts courts appeals cause action exist superintendent insurance bankers life cas affiliated ute citizens conclusion course entirely consistent recognition case borak private enforcement commission rules may provide necessary supplement commission action within years seminal kardon decision appeals second circuit concluded plaintiff class purposes private damage action rule limited actual purchasers sellers securities birnbaum newport steel supra appeals case repudiate birnbaum indeed another panel opinion judge ely short time earlier affirmed rule case mount clemens industries bell case majority appeals found facts warranted exception birnbaum rule reasons hereinafter stated opinion birnbaum rightly decided bars respondent maintaining suit rule iii panel decided birnbaum consisted chief judge swan judges learned hand augustus hand opinion written last named since rule proscribed fraud connection purchase sale securities since history revealed congressional intention extend private civil remedy money damages defrauded purchasers sellers securities contrast express civil remedy provided act concluded plaintiff class rule action limited actual purchasers sellers occasion consider validity kardon holding private cause action rule years later nearly period time gone birnbaum decision consideration case us kardon virtually lower federal courts facing issue hundreds reported cases presenting question past quarter century reaffirmed birnbaum conclusion plaintiff class purposes rule private damage actions limited purchasers sellers securities see loss securities regulation see haberman murchison landy fdic cert denied sargent genesco simmons wolfson cert denied city national bank vanderboom cert denied mount clemens industries bell supra jensen voyles compare eason general motors acceptance cert denied dasho susquehanna cert denied sub nom bard dasho securities exchange commission sought congress amendment change wording connection purchase sale security connection purchase sale attempt purchase sell security cong rec emphasis added sec legislation hearings subcommittee senate committee banking currency sess sess words memorandum submitted commission congressional committee purpose proposed change make section also applicable manipulative activities connection attempt purchase sell security hearings supra opposition amendment based fears extension civil liability cause neither change adopted congress longstanding acceptance courts coupled congress failure reject birnbaum reasonable interpretation wording wording directed toward injury suffered connection purchase sale securities argues significantly favor acceptance birnbaum rule blau lehman available evidence texts acts congressional scheme regard though conclusive supports result reached birnbaum wording directed fraud connection purchase sale securities stands contrast parallel antifraud provision act amended stat reaching fraud offer sale securities cf act congress wished provide remedy neither purchase sell securities little trouble expressly cf act section act limits recovery private damages action brought act actual damages likewise provides support rule see bromberg damages suffered purchasers sellers pursuing cause action may occasion difficult ascertain affiliated ute citizens main purchasers sellers least seek base recovery demonstrable number shares traded contrast putative plaintiff neither purchases sells securities sues instead intangible economic injury loss non contractual opportunity buy sell likely seeking largely conjectural speculative recovery number shares involved depend plaintiff subjective hypothesis cf estate counselling service merrill lynch pierce fenner smith levine seilon wolf frank one justifications advanced implication cause action lies act providing contract made violation provision act voidable option deceived party see kardon national gypsum slavin germantown fire insurance fischman raytheon mfg bromberg justification absent actual purchase sale securities contract purchase sell affected tainted violation cf mount clemens industries bell supra principal express nonderivative private civil remedies created congress contemporaneously passage violations various provisions acts terms expressly limited purchasers sellers securities thus act confines cause action grants person acquiring security remedy granted act limited person purchasing security section act prohibiting variety fraudulent manipulative devices limits express civil remedy provided violation person shall purchase sell security transaction affected violation provision section act prohibiting false misleading statements reports documents required filed act limits express remedy provided violation person shall purchased sold security price affected statement indeed anomalous impute congress intention expand plaintiff class judicially implied cause action beyond bounds delineated comparable express causes action said means understood suggesting able divine language express intent congress contours private cause action rule deal private actions rule deal judicial oak grown little legislative acorn growth may quite consistent congressional enactment role federal judiciary interpreting see case borak supra disingenuous suggest either congress securities exchange commission foreordained present state law respect rule therefore proper consider addition factors already discussed may described policy considerations come flesh portions law respect neither congressional enactment administrative regulations offer conclusive guidance three principal classes potential plaintiffs presently barred birnbaum rule first potential purchasers shares either new offering nation trading markets allege decided purchase unduly gloomy representation omission favorable material made issuer appear less favorable investment vehicle actually second actual shareholders issuer allege decided sell shares unduly rosy representation failure disclose unfavorable material third shareholders creditors perhaps others related issuer suffered loss value investment due corporate insider activities connection purchase sale securities violate rule held shareholder members second third classes may frequently able circumvent birnbaum limitation bringing derivative action behalf corporate issuer latter purchaser seller securities see schoenbaum firstbrook cert denied sub nom manley schoenbaum first classes respondent member claim benefit rule great majority many commentators issue us taken view birnbaum limitation plaintiff class rule action damages arbitrary restriction unreasonably prevents deserving plaintiffs recovering damages fact caused violations rule see lowenfels demise birnbaum doctrine new era rule rev securities exchange commission filed amicus brief case espousing view doubt indeed disadvantage birnbaum rule countervailing advantages undesirable matter policy however much might supported precedent legislative history opinion countervailing advantages birnbaum rule purely matter policy although advantages difficult articulate disadvantage widespread recognition litigation rule presents danger vexatiousness different degree kind accompanies litigation general fact recognized judge browning opinion majority appeals case judge hufstedler dissenting opinion said rule maintained balances built congressional scheme permitting damage actions brought persons whose active participation marketing transaction promises enforcement statute without undue risk abuse litigation process without distorting securities market believe concern expressed danger vexatious litigation result widely expanded class plaintiffs rule founded something substantial common complaint many defendants prefer avoiding lawsuits entirely either settling trying concerns two largely separate grounds first concerns field federal securities laws governing disclosure information even complaint objective standards may little chance success trial settlement value plaintiff proportion prospect success trial long may prevent suit resolved dismissal summary judgment pendency lawsuit may frustrate delay normal business activity defendant totally unrelated lawsuit see sargent sec individual investor restoring confidence market rev dooley effects civil liability investment banking new issues market rev congress recognized potential nuisance strike suits type litigation title ii act amended act provide suit section title may discretion require undertaking payment costs suit including reasonable attorney fees stat congress sections act expressly conferred private cause action damages adopted provision uniformly regarded designed deter strike nuisance actions cohen beneficial loan fact alone justifies consideration potential determining limits class plaintiffs may sue action wholly implied language act potential possible abuse liberal discovery provisions federal rules civil procedure may likewise exist type case greater extent litigation prospect extensive deposition defendant officers associates concomitant opportunity extensive discovery business documents common occurrence similar types litigation extent process eventually produces relevant evidence useful determining merits claims asserted parties bears imprimatur rules many cases liberally interpreting extent permits plaintiff largely groundless claim simply take time number people right representing terrorem increment settlement value rather reasonably founded hope process reveal relevant evidence social cost rather benefit yet broadly expand class plaintiffs may sue rule appear encourage least appealing aspect use discovery rules without birnbaum rule action rule turn largely oral version series occurrences jury may decide credit therefore matter improbable allegations plaintiff case virtually impossible dispose prior trial settlement words judge hufstedler dissenting opinion appeals great ease plaintiffs allege requirements majority standing rule greater difficulty plaintiffs going proving allegations suggests majority rule allow relatively high proportion bad cases risk strike suits particularly high cases although difficult prove trial even difficult dispose trial obviously general legal principle courts fashioning substantive law manner makes easier rather difficult defendant obtain summary judgment type litigation mere existence unresolved lawsuit settlement value plaintiff possibility may prevail merits entirely legitimate component settlement value threat extensive discovery disruption normal business activities may accompany lawsuit groundless event proved trial factor totally dismissed birnbaum rule undoubtedly excludes plaintiffs fact damaged violations rule extent undesirable also separates readily demonstrable manner group plaintiffs actually purchased actually sold whose version facts therefore likely believed trier fact vastly larger world potential plaintiffs might successfully allege claim seldom succeed proving fact one advantages second ground fear vexatious litigation based concern given generalized contours liability abolition birnbaum rule throw open trier fact many rather hazy issues historical fact proof depended almost entirely oral testimony way disparage worth frequent high value oral testimony say dangers abuse appear exist type action peculiarly high degree securities exchange commission opposing adoption birnbaum rule agrees petitioners effect deceptive practice someone neither purchased sold securities may difficult demonstrate effect purchaser seller brief securities exchange commission amicus curiae brief also points frivolous suits brought whatever rules standing reminds us recognition different context expense annoyance litigation part social burden living government see petroleum exploration public service commission suggests particular cases additional requirements corroboration testimony limited measure damages correct dangers expanded class plaintiffs necessity least desirability fashioning unique rules corroboration damages correlative abolition birnbaum rule suggests rule may something said considering policy underlying birnbaum rule inappropriate advert briefly tort misrepresentation deceit claim rule certainly relationship originally common law england action available one party business transaction limitation eliminated pasley freeman eng earlier law misrepresentation generally required one fact rather opinion requirement gradually relaxed lord bowen famous comment edgington fitzmaurice ch div state man mind much fact state digestion suggests distinction may somewhat arbitrary long established ordinary case deceit misrepresentation leads refusal purchase sell actionable way misrepresentation leads consummation purchase sale butler watkins wall aspects evolution tort deceit misrepresentation suggest direction away rules birnbaum typical fact situation classic tort misrepresentation deceit evolved light years away world commercial transactions rule applicable plaintiff butler supra example claimed held market patented machine tying cotton bales developed reason fraudulent representations defendant report case leaves doubt plaintiff defendant met one another new orleans one presented draft agreement letters exchanged relating agreement although claim damages based allegedly fraudulently induced decision put machines market plaintiff defendant concededly engaged course business dealings one another presumably recognized one another street met today universe transactions governed act privacy dealing even personal contact potential defendant potential plaintiff exception rule stock issuers listed financial exchanges utilized tens millions investors corporate representations reach potential audience encompassing diligent peruse filed corporate reports sizable number subscribers financial journals readership nation daily newspapers obviously neither fact issuers potential defendants rule reach large number potential investors fact required law make disclosures conform certain standards way absolve liability misconduct proscribed rule absence birnbaum rule sufficient plaintiff prove failed purchase sell stock reason defendant violation rule manner defendant violation caused plaintiff fail act result reading prospectus respondent claims easily come result claimed reading information contained financial pages local newspaper plaintiff proof purchased sold stock fact capable documentary verification situations instead decided purchase sell stock plaintiff entire testimony dependent upon uncorroborated oral evidence many crucial elements claim still sufficient go jury jury even benefit weighing plaintiff version defendant version since elements plaintiff testify many cases totally unknown unknowable defendant real risk permitting respondent position sue rule door open recovery substantial damages part one offers testimony prove ever consulted prospectus issuer paid attention representations contained damaged virtue birnbaum rule simply stated situation limits class plaintiffs least dealt security prospectus representation omission relates dealing security whether way purchase sale generally objectively demonstrable fact area law otherwise much dependent upon oral testimony absence birnbaum doctrine bystanders securities marketing process await developments sidelines without risk claiming inaccuracies disclosure caused nonselling falling market unduly pessimistic predictions issuer followed rising market caused allow retrospectively golden opportunities pass much development law deceit elimination artificial barriers recovery claims first express concern inexorable broadening class plaintiff may sue area law ultimately result harm good ultramares touche chief judge cardozo observed respect liability indeterminate amount indeterminate time indeterminate class hazards business conducted terms extreme enkindle doubt whether flaw may exist implication duty exposes consequences quite agree congress legislated elements private cause action damages duty judicial branch administer law congress enacted judiciary may circumscribe right congress conferred disagreement might congress wisdom creating expansive liability pointed dealing private right created express language rule language either provisions speaks contours private cause action violation however flexibly may construe language provisions nothing construction militates birnbaum rule dealing private cause action judicially found exist judicially delimited one way another unless congress addresses question given peculiar blend legislative administrative judicial history surrounds rule believe practical factors adverted courts referred entitled good deal weight thus conclude may called considerations policy free weigh deciding case means entirely one side scale taken together precedential support birnbaum rule period years consistency rule glean intent congress lead us conclude sound rule followed iv majority appeals case expressed disagreement general proposition one asserting claim damages based violation rule must either purchaser seller securities however noted prior cases held persons owning contractual rights buy sell securities excluded birnbaum rule relying cases concluded respondent status offeree pursuant terms consent decree served function purposes delimiting class plaintiffs normally performed requirement contractual relationship appeals recognized respondent concedes line authority establishes consent decree enforceable directly collateral proceedings parties even though intended benefited armour buckeye hocking valley contract purchase sell securities expressly defined act purchase sale securities purposes act unlike respondent contractual right duty purchase blue chip securities holders puts calls options contractual rights duties purchase sell securities recognized purchasers sellers securities purposes rule judicial conclusion similarly situated purchasers sellers definitional provisions act grant status even accept notion birnbaum rule circumvented basis particularized judicial inquiry facts surrounding complaint respondent members alleged class unlikely candidates judicially created exception birnbaum rule flexibly interpreted lower federal courts unable locate single decided case years litigation since birnbaum decision support right persons position respondent bring private suit rule respondent buyer seller security even shareholder corporate petitioners indicated act respondent seeks assert cause action general scope chiefly concerned regulation trading nation stock exchanges securities trading markets act far narrower statute chiefly concerned disclosure fraud connection offerings securities primarily initial distributions newly issued stock corporate issuers loss securities regulation ed respondent derives entitlement antitrust consent decree otherwise possess contractual rights relating offered stock stands position disappointed offeree stock offering registered act claims overly pessimistic prospectus prepared distributed required act caused allow opportunity purchase pass strong evidence application birnbaum rule preclude suit disappointed offeree registered act offering rule furthers intention congress expressed act congress left little doubt purpose imposing prospectus registration requirements act prevent igh pressure salesmanship rather careful counsel causing inflated new issues direct limitation sec selling arguments hitherto employed objection compulsory incorporation selling literature sales argument substantially information concerning issue frighten buyer intricacy transaction one best arguments provision sections act provide express civil remedies misrepresentations omissions registration statements prospectuses filed act charged restrict recovery offering price shares actually purchased impose greater responsibility apart constitutional doubts unnecessarily restrain conscientious administration honest business compensating advantage public supra beyond difficulties evident extension standing respondent believe birnbaum rule merely shorthand judgment nature particular plaintiff proof purely practical matter doubtless true respondent members class offerers recipients prospectus new blue chip smaller class potential plaintiffs might conceivably assert obtained information violative rule attributable issuer financial pages local newspaper since respondent likewise prior connection petitioners result using trading stamps marketed old blue chip intended benefit provisions consent decree doubtless likelihood managers read damaged allegedly misleading statements prospectus case filed complete stranger corporation respondent members class neither purchasers sellers terms defined act therefore extent claim standing sue recognized mean lesser practical difficulties corroborating least elements proof regarded sufficient avoid birnbaum rule noted practical difficulties particularly case complete stranger corporation support retention rule means factor general adoption rule federal courts years since announced consistency rule statutes involved legislative history likewise bases retaining rule agree appeals case leave birnbaum rule open endless erosion depending whether particular group plaintiffs thought issue litigated sufficiently discrete world potential purchasers large justify exception believe shifting highly disposition issue may bring damages claim violation rule satisfactory basis rule liability imposed conduct business transactions consistent straightforward application birnbaum rule factors support retention rule therefore hold respondent entitled sue violation rule judgment appeals reversed footnotes district opinion reported supp appeals opinion reported see act act justice blackmun dissenting post finds support literal language since concludes view word sale ordinarily naturally may understood mean single individualized act transferring property one party another also generalized event public disposal property advertisement auction market mechanism ignores fact carefully drawn statute defines term sale purposes act noted infra congress expressly deleted act definition events offers advertisements may ultimately lead completed sale moreover extension word sale include offers quite incompatible congress separate definition use terms acts cf act beyond wording making fraud connection purchase sale security violation act surely badly strained construed provide cause action purchasers sellers securities world large section act provides wording virtually identical rule exception italicized portion shall unlawful person offer sale securities use means instruments transportation communication interstate commerce use mails directly indirectly employ device scheme artifice defraud obtain money property means untrue statement material fact omission state material fact necessary order make statements made light circumstances made misleading engage transaction practice course business operates operate fraud deceit upon purchaser emphasis added express course opinion whether light express civil remedies act gives rise implied cause action compare greater iowa mclendon fischman raytheon mfg see sec texas gulf sulphur friendly concurring cert denied sub nom coates sec loss securities regulation ed section act provides part every contract made violation provision chapter rule regulation thereunder every contract including contract listing security exchange heretofore hereafter made performance involves violation continuance relationship practice violation provision chapter rule regulation thereunder shall void regards rights person violation provision rule regulation shall made engaged performance contract regards rights person party contract shall acquired right thereunder actual knowledge facts reason making performance contract violation provision rule regulation cf deckert independence shares justice blackmun dissenting post finds birnbaum rule incompatible purpose history rule worthy passing note history rule recounted length dissent post strongly supports limitation dissent notes rule adopted order close loophole protections fraud prohibiting individuals companies buying securities engage fraud purchase see sec release may remarks milton freeman conference codification federal securities laws bus law modest aims origins rule recounted dissent stand stark contrast conclusion remedy exists rule whenever logical nexus alleged fraud sale purchase security post facts indicated infra extension rule cause action far closing unforeseen loophole extend private right action misrepresentations act prospectus congress excluded express civil remedies provided act cover violation obviously disadvantage attenuated extent remedies available nonpurchasers nonsellers state law cf act see iroquois industries syracuse china cert denied thus example birnbaum plaintiffs found without federal remedies conduct alleged gravamen federal complaint later provided basis recovery cause action based state law see loss securities regulation ed immediate case respondent filed class action held abeyance pending outcome suit manor drug stores blue chip stamps superior county los angeles cal sec recognizing necessity limitations nonpurchaser nonseller plaintiffs absence birnbaum rule suggests two limitations mitigate practical adverse effects flowing abolition rule first suggests requiring corroborative evidence addition oral testimony tending show investment decision plaintiff affected omission misrepresentation brief securities exchange commission amicus curiae apparently ownership stock receipt prospectus press release sufficient corroborative evidence view sec reach jury believe requirement adequately respond concerns part underlying birnbaum rule ownership stock receipt prospectus says little whether plaintiff investment decision affected violation rule whether decision even made second sec limit vicarious liability corporate issuers nonpurchasers nonsellers situations corporate issuer unjustly enriched violation occasion pass upon compatibility limitation act believe proposed limitation relevant concerns underlying part birnbaum rule expressed alone feeling limitations proposed sec adequate deal adverse effects flow abolition birnbaum rule see vine beneficial finance cert denied iroquois industries syracuse china rekant desser gaf milstein cert denied drachman harvey en bane mount clemens industries bell see brief respondent see supra hufstedler dissenting section act provides terms buy purchase include contract buy purchase otherwise acquire section act provides terms sale sell include contract sell otherwise dispose provisions enacted starkly contrast wording bill became act emerged committee presented senate floor senator fletcher chairman senate committee banking finance see sess section bill presented senate provided terms buy purchase include contract buy purchase otherwise acquire contract purchase attempt offer acquire solicitation offer sell security interest security emphasis added bill provided terms sale sell include contract sale disposition contract sell dispose attempt offer dispose solicitation offer buy security interest therein emphasis added consideration bill senate floor ambit provisions narrowed amendment present wording stat arguing offeree stock treated purchaser seller purposes act respondent effect seeking judicial reinsertion language act congress deleted prior passage decision sec national securities established rule imposes limitation standing sec bring actions injunctive relief rule blue chip present question whether implied action act rule lie actions made violation act subject express civil remedies act therefore occasion pass issue compare rosenberg globe aircraft supp ed thiele shields supp sdny cf loss securities regulation ed loss securities regulation bromberg justice powell justice stewart justice marshall join concurring although join opinion write emphasize significance texts acts especially language rule starting point every case involving construction statute language critical phrase statute rule connection purchase sale security cfr emphasis added section act provides term sale shall include contract sell otherwise dispose securities hint provision act term sale used intended addition legal meaning include offer sell respondent nevertheless us amend controlling language read connection purchase sale offer sell security nothing history acts supports congressional intent include mere offers moreover opinion indicates impressive evidence texts two acts demonstrates clearly congress selectively carefully distinguished offers purchases sales example antifraud provision act expressly includes offer securities within terms act rule act also defines offer sell something distinct sale evidence congressional intent needed may found subsequent history acts noted opinion securities exchange commission unsuccessfully sought persuade congress broaden adding critical language attempt purchase sell security see ante case involves purchase sale securities respondent mere offeree instituted suit two years shares issued market price soared missed market stock hardly unique position capital fuels enterprise system comes investors frequent opportunities purchase purchase securities offered publicly market prices new issues rarely remain static almost invariably go often fluctuate widely period far less two years respondent reflected lost opportunity investors unhappy memories decisions buy stocks later performed well opinion dissenting opinion judge hufstedler appeals correctly emphasize subjective nature inevitable inquiry term offer read act arguable error found offering prospectus purchased particular security time offered known correct facts apart human temptation plaintiff answer question fashion offeror securities defendant suit severely handicapped challenging predictable testimony subjective issues even speculative class actions inevitably follow held offers sell securities covered rule case respondent clearly identifiable offeree shares offered designated persons customary public sale securities identification fact bona fide offerees present severe problems proof act requires offers sell registered securities made means effective prospectus issues usually marketed underwriters dealers often including scores investment banking brokerage firms across country copies prospectus may widely distributed dealer group passed hand hand among countless persons whose identities known extended embrace offers sell number persons claiming offerees legion respect security subsequently proved rewarding investment entitled assume congress enacting subsequently declining extend took account similar considerations courts already inferred private cause action authorized legislation however unnecessary rewrite precise language rule exactly respondent joined surprisingly sec sought case change made unpredictable consequences process raising capital necessary economic wellbeing matter congress courts ii justice blackmun dissent charges preternatural solicitousness corporate wellbeing seeming callousness toward investing public task case construe statute view answer plainly compelled language well legislative history acts even language plain thought none doubt statute read fairly support result reaches indeed one takes different view imputes callousness disagree must attribute lack legal social perception scores federal judges followed birnbaum two decades dissenting opinion also charges paying heed unremedied wrong arising type fraud may result reaffirmance birnbaum rule issue statutory construction decided basis assuring federal remedy addition state remedies every perceived fraud least strike balance opportunities fraud presented contending views may well conceded birnbaum allow fraud go unremedied federal securities acts construction advocated dissent result wider opportunities fraud opinion makes plain abandoning birnbaum construction favor rule urged dissent invite person failed purchase newly offered security subsequently enjoyed substantial market appreciation file claim alleging offering prospectus understated company potential number possible plaintiffs respect public offering virtually unlimited noted honest offeror confronted subjective claims plaintiffs neither purchased securities seriously considered investment frequently impossible refute plaintiff assertion relied prospectus even made decision buy offered securities rule allowing type litigation invitation fraud argued language connection justifies extending include offers necessarily precede purchase sale short answer statute requires purchase sale security offer made respondent connection either complaint rests upon absence sale purchase proving fact one done encompasses number conjectural well subjective issues offeree bought many shares bought long held shares buys market time may attractive even offeree known facts fact use available funds advantageously purchasing something else argued special facts case justify extending benefit respondent even statute ordinarily requires purchase sale resolution also require judicial extension terms statute mere fact securities offered limited class offerees may eliminate problems proof avoid fatal objection offer securities absent purchase sale covered statute curious sec seek change act judicial action stated purpose act provide full fair disclosure character securities sold interstate foreign commerce see preamble act stat evil addressed tendency seller exaggerate puff sometimes fraudulently overstate prospects earning capabilities issuing corporation decade marked financing buying public oversold often misled buoyant optimism issuers underwriters act intended compel moderation caution prospectuses precisely way act administered sec years precise factual accuracy respect corporate enterprise frequently impossible except respect hard facts outcome pending litigation effect relatively new legislation possible enactment adverse legislation cost projected construction entering new markets expenditures needed meet changing environmental regulations likelihood effect new competition new technology many similar matters potential relevancy must addressed registration statements prospectuses administering act sec traditionally consistently encouraged often required offerors take conservative postures prospectuses especially respect judgmental possibly unfavorable matters different philosophy read act inviting litigation arguably misleading understatement well overstatement issuer prospects hazard going market already inconsequential immeasurably increased dissent also charges callous toward investing public term define accurate perhaps spoken noninvesting public decision abandon investing public great majority registered issues securities offered established corporations shares outstanding held members investing public types suits dissent encourage result large damage claims costly litigation generous settlements avoid cost often litigation runs course large verdicts shareholders defendant corporations investing public ultimately bear burden litigation including fraudulent suits screened dissent bare requirement logical nexus alleged fraud sale purchase security justice blackmun justice douglas justice brennan join dissenting today graves stone birnbaum arbitrary principle standing task unfortunately chooses utilize three blunt chisels reliance legislative history securities acts conceded inconclusive particular context acceptance precedent two decades lower decisions following doctrine never examined pronounced justifiably esteemed panel appeals regarded mother area law entirely different circumstances resort utter pragmaticality conjectural assertion policy considerations deemed arise distinguishing meritorious rule suit meretricious one exhibits preternatural solicitousness corporate seeming callousness toward investing public quite keeping seems traditions intent securities laws see affiliated ute citizens superintendent insurance bankers life cas sec national securities tcherepnin knight sec capital gains bureau plaintiff complaint us raises disturbing claims fraud alleges directors new blue chip majority shareholders old blue chip engaged deceptive manipulative scheme designed subvert intent antitrust consent decree enhance value shares subsequent offering although complaint long reproduce see app plaintiff short contends plan reorganization old blue chip pursuant decree approved district intended compensate former blue chip stamps damages suffered result antitrust violations accordingly majority shareholders divested interest old blue chip merged new company common shares new company offered former users pro rata basis determined quantity stamps issued nonshareholding users designated period shares thus offered units consisting three shares common debenture return cash plaintiff pleaded position offer former users intended antitrust government bargain since reasonable market value unit actually plaintiff alleged however offering shareholders intention complying good faith terms consent decree permitting former users blue chip stamps obtain bargain offering rather conspired dissuade offerees purchasing units including substantially misleading negative information prospectus heading items special interest prospectus contained following statements allegedly false allegedly made deter plaintiff class purchasing units et income current fiscal year adversely affected payments aggregating made since march settlement claims new blue chip net income adversely affected substantial decrease use company trading stamp service net income adversely affected sale company trading stamp business california claims causes action defined company including prayers treble damages aggregate approximately based upon statistical evaluations company presently estimates stamps issued ultimately redeemed app plaintiff alleged negative statements known known defendants false since example purported legal claims settled less three months later historical fact less trading stamps redeemed importantly defendants offered shares sale public year later prospectus issued time made reference factors even though extent relevant date first prospectus one year earlier equally relevant date second result defendants negative statements plaintiff claims class dissuaded exercising option purchase blue chip shares damaged accordingly reading complaint relation language act rule manifest plaintiff alleged use deceptive scheme connection purchase sale security mind word sale ordinarily naturally may understood mean single individualized act transferring property one party another also generalized event public disposal property advertisement auction market mechanism obvious indeed sale securities special offering new blue chip shares debentures former users yet denies plaintiff right maintain suit rule fit mechanistic categories either purchaser seller surely anomaly purpose alleged scheme inhibit plaintiff ever acquiring status purchaser faced abnormal divergence usual pattern securities frauds pays heed unremedied wrong portmanteau nature broad purpose scope securities exchange act manifest senator fletcher chairman senate committee banking currency introducing bill became act reviewed general purposes legislation manipulators past comparatively free hand befuddle fool public extract public millions dollars operations curbed deprived opportunity grow fat savings average man woman america bill securities exchanges appearance open market place investors truly open free hectic operations dangerous practices past enabled handful men operate stacked cards general body outside investors example besides forbidding fraudulent practices unwholesome manipulations professional market operators bill seeks deprive corporate directors corporate officers corporate insiders opportunity play stocks companies interests stockholders companies cong rec commission also given power forbid devices connection security transactions finds detrimental public interest proper protection investors ibid subsection says thou shalt devise cunning devices course subsection clause prevent manipulative devices think objection kind clause commission authority deal new manipulative devices testimony thomas corcoran hearing house committee interstate foreign commerce one day year believe sitting office building philadelphia received call jim treanor director trading exchange division said telephone paul rowen regional administrator boston told president company boston going around buying stock company shareholders share telling company badly whereas fact earnings going quadrupled share coming year anything came upstairs called secretary looked section looked section put together discussion connection purchase sale decided end called commission got calendar remember whether got morning lunch passed piece paper around commissioners commissioners read rule tossed table indicating approval nobody said anything except summer pike said well said fraud happened remarks milton freeman conference codification federal securities laws bus law fact situation birnbaum course far removed fundament complaint controlling shareholder misrepresented circumstances attractive merger offer rejecting merger sold controlling shares price double market value corporation formed manufacturers wished control captive source supply market shortage second circuit turned aside effort small shareholders bring claim breach fiduciary duty rule concluding rule protected bought sold securities many cases applying birnbaum doctrine continuing critical comments academic world followed wake today remained serenely fray support decision adopt birnbaum doctrine points longstanding acceptance courts congress failure reject birnbaum reasonable interpretation wording ante addition purports find support evidence texts acts although concedes conclusive ibid greater portion opinion devoted discussion danger vexatiousness ante accompanies litigation rule said different degree kind accompanies litigation general ibid speaks harm pendency lawsuit ante something like recognized dilemma physician sued malpractice disruption normal business activities may accompany lawsuit ante proof depend almost entirely oral testimony unknown lawsuits taking place america courthouses every day turning influenced policy considerations ante considerations policy ante view unfortunately mires speculation conjecture usually seen opinions order support interpretation obviously narrows provision securities laws designed takes alarm practical difficulties ante follow removal birnbaum barrier certainly must aware realities life unwarranted take form attenuated judicial notice motivations defense counsel may setting case difficulties plaintiff may proving claim perhaps true cases come within birnbaum doctrine properly proved fall outside reason denying standing sue plaintiffs one case allegedly injured novel forms manipulation wary heeding seductive call expediency substituting convenience ease processing difficult task separating genuine claim unfounded one instead artificiality birnbaum essential test valid rule claim seems must showing logical nexus alleged fraud sale purchase security inconceivable congress intended antifraud provision time intended impose deemed welcome mechanical overtone requirement birnbaum doctrine facts case proved accepted factfinder surely within conduct congress intended ban whether particular plaintiff plaintiff able eventually carry burdens proving fraud proving reliance damage causality injury matter left speculations policy kind advanced forum far removed witnesses evidence finally uneasy type precedent present decision establishes policy considerations applied utilized like fashion situations acceptance decisional route case may well come back haunt us elsewhere long decide case fulfill broad purpose language statutes legislative history dictate avoid pragmatic solution resting upon severely criticized doctrine enunciated factually distinct situation short abandon birnbaum doctrine rule decision favor general test nexus seventh circuit eason general motors acceptance cert denied worry imagined inability federal trial appellate courts control flowering types cases fears might result yet disturbed dire consequences basically pessimistic attitude foresees birnbaum doctrine allowed quietly expire sensible standards proof demonstrable damages evolve serve protect worthy shut frivolous birnbaum newport steel cert denied term however view tender regard another decision panel see feola treatment analogy advanced crimmins see lowenfels demise birnbaum doctrine new era rule rev boone mcgowan standing sue sec rule tex rev whitaker birnbaum doctrine assessment rev ruder current developments federal law corporate fiduciary relations standing sue rule bus law fuller another demise birnbaum doctrine tolls knell parting day miami rev comment dumping birnbaum force analysis standing requirement rule loyola note standing sue actions notre dame law comment standing birnbaum case missing remedy hastings comment requirement rule reevaluated rev comment inroads necessity consummated purchase sale rule duke comment decline requirement rule villanova rev comment limitation sec rule cornell rev comment rule archaic tool determining standing rule geo see note limiting plaintiff class rule federal securities code rev