Legal Templates

Copyright Infringement Cease and Desist Letter Template

A copyright infringement cease and desist letter is a formal demand instructing a violating party to immediately stop copying, distributing, or profiting from your copyrighted work without authorization. This letter serves as a warning before legal action and can strengthen your case if the infringement continues.

Updated February 10, 2025
Written by Josh Sainsbury | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

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A copyright cease and desist letter helps protect your intellectual property without the immediate need for legal action. Benefits include:

  • Promptly stopping unauthorized use of your work.
  • Avoiding litigation costs if the infringing party complies.
  • Providing legal documentation if further action is required.
  • Potentially increasing awarded damages if the case goes to court.

No, a cease and desist copyright infringement letter is not legally enforceable. The letter only warns you that you may take legal action unless the infringement stops. Ideally, the violator will stop before you take legal action, saving you time, money, and stress.

How Do You Prove Your Right to the Copyrighted Material?

Before sending a cease and desist letter, you must confirm your copyright ownership. Here’s how:

  • Check for copyright registration: Use the US Copyright Office database to find your registered work.
  • Gather proof of creation: Collect drafts, timestamps, or any metadata showing when you created the work.
  • Show public recognition: If your work has been published, provide links, records, or documentation proving public visibility.

While copyright is automatically granted upon creation, registering your work provides stronger legal protections and is required before filing a lawsuit.

If someone is copying, distributing, or profiting from your work without permission, take these steps:

  1. Send a cease and desist letter: Clearly demand that the infringing party stops unauthorized use of your work.
  2. Request content removal: If your work is used online, file a DMCA takedown request with the hosting platform.
  3. Negotiate a licensing agreement: If the infringer is willing, offer legal permission through a licensing deal.
  4. Pursue legal action: If they refuse to comply, you can file a lawsuit for damages and injunctions.

For trademark violations, use a trademark infringement cease and desist letter instead.

To ensure the letter is received and acknowledged, follow these steps:

  1. Gather evidence of infringement: Take screenshots, URLs, or records proving unauthorized use.
  2. Draft a clear, legally structured letter: Include details of infringement, proof of ownership, and a demand for cessation.
  3. Use certified mail with return receipt: This provides proof the letter was delivered and received.
  4. Send an additional copy via email: If applicable, email a copy to the recipient for immediate acknowledgment.
  5. Monitor compliance & follow up: If they don’t respond, consider sending a final notice before escalating to legal action.

If the infringer ignores your cease and desist letter, you may need to take further action. Ensure your copyright is registered with the US Copyright Office, as this is required before filing a lawsuit. You can also submit a DMCA takedown request to remove infringing content. If violations continue, consulting a copyright attorney can help you pursue legal action, seek damages, or request an injunction to stop further use.

Below, you can view a sample copyright infringement cease and desist letter in PDF format. You can customize this template using our document editor.

cease-and-desist-letter-copyright-infringement

A cease and desist letter is a powerful tool to stop unauthorized use of your work and assert your rights. It serves as a formal warning before legal action becomes necessary.

If the infringement continues, consider filing a DMCA takedown request or seeking legal advice. Take action now to protect your intellectual property. Use our copyright infringement cease and desist letter template to get started.

Useful Resources

Copyright lookup: Use the United States Copyright Office search tool to verify copyright registrations from 1978 to the present.

Laws: 17 US Code Chapter 5 outlines infringement laws and remedies, including the requirement under 17 US Code § 501(b) to send a written notice before initiating a lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is copyright infringement a crime?


Yes, copyright infringement is a crime. Infringing copyright willfully and for commercial or private financial gain is a criminal offense. 

What does copyright infringement mean?


Copyright infringement is the reproduction, distribution, performance, creation of derivative work, or public display of copyright-protected materials without permission from the copyright owner. It means a third party is breaching the rights of the copyright owner.

How much can you sue for copyright infringement?


How much you can sue for when it comes to copyright infringement depends on several factors. There is no set amount, and the courts will consider actual damages, profits, and statutory damages. Going to court for copyright infringement can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s worth figuring out how much you could sue.

What is the penalty for criminal copyright infringement?


The penalty for criminal copyright infringement includes imprisonment of up to five years and maximum fines of up to $250,000 per infringement. 

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cease and desist copyright infringement letter

The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.

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