A cease and desist letter is a written notice requesting an individual or business engaging in unlawful, unwanted, or harmful conduct to stop and refrain from such behavior now and in the future. This letter is typically used to ask someone to immediately end their behavior to avoid further criminal or civil litigation. The letter also demonstrates your preparation to take legal action should they fail to comply with your request.

Depending on your personal situation and what you are trying to stop, a cease and desist letter could be used for anything from a criminal charge to a civil lawsuit. These letters encompass a wide range of possibilities that can be altered to fit your personal situation.

Common uses for a cease and desist letter include plagiarism, copyright infringement, intellectual property issues, libel and slander, breach of contract, business conflicts, property encroachment, and harassment. There are also many more reasons a letter may be sent.

By sending a cease and desist letter, the individual or business cannot claim they were unaware of their conduct. Additionally, if the individual or business fail to comply, they cannot claim they were unaware they were in violation.  A cease and desist letter is beneficial if further legal actions are commenced because it sets out in writing information to show the validity of the claim and the alleged violation.