Amazon has formally opposed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request to extend the trial timeline in the ongoing lawsuit concerning the company’s Prime subscription practices. The FTC had initially sought a delay, citing significant resource constraints, but later retracted this request, affirming its readiness to proceed as scheduled.
In March 2025, during a status hearing, FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen requested a two-month postponement of the trial, originally set for September 22, 2025. Cohen attributed the need for a delay to “severe resource shortfalls in terms of both money and personnel,” referencing staffing reductions and budgetary limitations resulting from federal cost-cutting measures. He noted that the agency had “lost employees in the agency, in our division and on our case team,” and faced operational challenges, including potential office relocations and restricted access to necessary legal resources. ([cnn.com](https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/12/tech/ftc-amazon-trial-musk/index.html?utm_source=openai))
Amazon’s legal team, led by attorney John Hueston, opposed the delay. Hueston argued that the FTC’s trial team remained intact and that logistical disruptions, such as an office move, were insufficient grounds for postponement. He stated, “There has been no showing on this call that the government does not have the resources to proceed to trial with the trial date as presently set.” ([cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/ftc-asks-to-delay-amazon-prime-deceptive-practices-case-citing-staffing-shortfalls.html?utm_source=openai))
Shortly after the hearing, Cohen reversed his position, informing U.S. District Judge John Chun that the FTC was prepared to adhere to the original trial schedule. In a letter to the court, Cohen wrote, “I want to clarify comments I made today: I was wrong. The Commission does not have resource constraints and we are fully prepared to litigate this case.” ([marketbeat.com](https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/ftc-reverses-its-request-for-a-delay-in-an-amazon-trial-says-it-has-resources-to-litigate-the-case-2025-03-13/?utm_source=openai))
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson supported this reversal, stating, “I have made it clear since Day One that we will commit the resources necessary for this case.” He emphasized the agency’s commitment to pursuing the case against Amazon without delay. ([marketbeat.com](https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/ftc-reverses-its-request-for-a-delay-in-an-amazon-trial-says-it-has-resources-to-litigate-the-case-2025-03-13/?utm_source=openai))
The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, alleges that Amazon enrolled consumers in its Prime program without their consent and made it challenging for them to cancel their subscriptions. Amazon has denied these allegations, asserting that the FTC’s claims are “wrong on the facts and the law.” ([cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/ftc-asks-to-delay-amazon-prime-deceptive-practices-case-citing-staffing-shortfalls.html?utm_source=openai))
As the trial date approaches, both parties are preparing to present their cases. The FTC aims to demonstrate that Amazon’s practices violated consumer protection laws, while Amazon is expected to defend its subscription processes and customer service practices.