The Bangor Punta Operations, Inc. v. Bangor & Aroostook Railroad Co., 1973 case revolved around the issue of whether a corporation could sue its previous owners for alleged mismanagement and fraud after it had been sold to new owners. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the defendants (the former owners), stating that the plaintiffs (the new owners) did not have standing to bring such a suit because they were not harmed by any actions taken prior to their ownership. The court reasoned that any harm done would have affected only the value of the company at time of sale, which was reflected in price paid by purchasers; thus, there was no additional damage suffered post-sale due to pre-sale activities. This decision established an important precedent regarding corporate law and shareholder rights.

In the dissenting opinion for Bangor Punta Operations, Inc. v. Bangor & Aroostook Railroad Co., Justice Douglas argued that the majority's decision was a departure from established principles of corporate law and equity. He contended that when a corporation is sold, its assets - including potential legal claims - are transferred to the new owners who should be able to pursue those claims in court. The majority's ruling effectively denied this right based on an unjust enrichment theory which Douglas found unconvincing because it failed to consider whether any actual enrichment occurred as a result of alleged mismanagement by previous owners or directors. Furthermore, he criticized the majority for creating an exception to traditional rules without clear justification or guidelines for future cases.