What Is a Cease and Desist Letter?
A cease and desist letter is a written warning sent to someone accused of wrongdoing. It explains what happened and tells them to stop the behavior immediately. The letter also warns that legal action may follow if they don’t.
It doesn’t have to come from a lawyer; anyone can write and send a cease and desist letter. While this document isn’t legally binding, it serves as a clear warning that you intend to protect your rights.
If the issue goes to court, the letter can be used as evidence that the person was notified and refused to comply. You can use a cease and desist form letter to make this process simpler and more effective.
What Are the Grounds for a Cease and Desist?
A cease and desist letter is used when someone’s rights are being violated. It gives the offender a chance to stop the behavior before the victim takes legal action. People often send these letters for issues such as:
- Intellectual property violations like copyright, trademark, or patent infringement
- Personal or business conflicts involving harassment, slander, libel, or contract breaches
Using the right cease and desist letter template makes it simple to write a clear and professional notice. Legal Templates offers several versions for different situations, helping you take action quickly and protect what’s yours.
You May Also Need
If you’re dealing with unpaid money or broken agreements, you may also need one of these templates:
Cease and Desist Letter – By Type
If you’re dealing with neighbor harassment, intellectual property theft, or a contract dispute, you can use the customizable cease and desist letter below. Each template is easy to fill out and helps you take control of your situation.
If someone blatantly copies, steals, or imitates your original work or website, demand that they either provide proper credit or stop immediately
Copyright Infringement
Use if you're experiencing ongoing personal or sexual harassment, unwanted behavior, or threats
Harassment
Use if a debt collection agency is overwhelming you with excessive phone calls and you want them to stop
Debt Collection
Use if someone or a business is infringing on your trademark to explain the harm and demand they stop using it
Trademark Infringement
Use if someone is slandering or libeling you or your business, and you want to demand they stop making those claims
Defamation
Use this letter if someone is disclosing confidential information about you or your business after signing an NDA, and you want to demand that they stop
Violation of NDA
How to Write a Cease and Desist Letter
A cease and desist letter should be clear, specific, and professional. Start with your own information so the recipient knows who it’s from. Then, include theirs to make sure it speaks to the right person. When writing the letter:
- Include your name, address, and contact details
- Add the recipient’s full name and address
- Describe the behavior or action that must stop
- Explain when and how it happened
- Demand that it stop immediately or give a specific deadline for compliance
- Note possible legal consequences if it continues
- Sign and date the letter
Keep the tone calm and direct. A well-written letter shows you’re serious about protecting your rights and gives the other party a chance to resolve the issue before it escalates.
Keep Reputation in Mind
According to the American Bar Association, cease and desist letters can become public. When that happens, public reaction can shape how people perceive you or your brand.
Momofuku learned this the hard way after facing backlash for trying to force other brands to stop using the term “chile crunch.” You can protect your own reputation or that of your brand by using cease and desist letters only in justifiable situations and keeping your tone calm and professional..
How to Send a Cease and Desist Letter
You can send a cease and desist letter in a few different ways. Certified mail is usually the best choice because it provides proof of delivery. Other methods work too, but not all offer the same level of confirmation. Common options include:
- Certified mail with return receipt provides a mailing receipt, signature, and online tracking
- Courier or process server ensures the letter is delivered by hand
- Verified email offers electronic proof of delivery
Keep the return receipt as evidence of who signed and when. Avoid regular or untracked mail since you’ll have no proof the letter was received.
Cease and Desist Letter Example
Here’s a cease and desist letter example for a privacy violation. It follows the template format and includes realistic details to show how a completed letter might look. Use it to see how to state the issue clearly and make a firm, professional request for the behavior to stop.
From
Maya Patel
455 Cedar Lane
Atlanta, GA 30309Date: October 10, 2025
VIA ☑ Certified Mail ☐ Overnight Mail ☐ Email ☐ Facsimile ☐ Other: ____________
To
Evan Brooks
92 Magnolia Drive
Savannah, GA 31401RE: Cease and Desist – Specific Activity
Dear Evan Brooks:
This letter serves as notice to you to immediately cease and desist the following activity(ies):
Sharing my private photos and personal information online without my consent (collectively, the “Activity”)
because these actions violate my privacy and cause emotional and reputational harm.If you do not cease and desist the aforementioned Activity, I will be forced to take appropriate legal action against you and will seek all available damages and remedies.
Sincerely,
Maya Patel
Printed Name: Maya Patel
Sample Cease and Desist Letter
Use the cease and desist letter sample below to see what a completed version looks like. It follows the same structure as our editable cease and desist letter template, making it easy to fill in your own details. You can download it in PDF or Word to customize and send when you’re ready to take action.
