cease and desist letter

A cease and desist letter is sent to a person or entity describing their alleged misconduct and demanding that the specified conduct stop. A cease and desist letter provides notice that legal action may and will be taken if the conduct in question continues. Such letters are usually written by attorneys and are often sent to stop alleged or actual infringement of intellectual property rights, such as copyrights, trademarks, and patents. A cease and desist letter may also be used to warn against harassment, slander, libel, as well as contractual violations. Even though a cease and desist letter is a non-binding cautionary letter and does not have a legal effect, it is primarily sent to later be used as evidence in litigation if the alleged misconduct is not stopped. A cease and desist letter is different from a cease and desist order.

[Last reviewed in August of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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