What is a Cease and Desist Letter?
Cease and desist letters do not automatically signal a lawsuit. It is merely a warning about illegal behavior. It lets the offender know that penalties could follow if their offensive behavior doesn’t stop. A cease and desist letter puts the person or entity in violation on notice that they are engaging in an illegal action. It advises them to stop the violation immediately or face further legal proceedings.
What to know about cease and desist letters
Cease and desist letters have minimal legal standing. Conversely, a cease and desist order granted by the court serves as a temporary injunction. The person who receives the cease and desist order must stop the violation until a trial is held.
There are several other names for a cease and desist letter, including:
- Demand letter
- Cease and desist notice
- Cease and desist form
- Stop harassment letter
All of these are formal letters warning the person to stop their illegal behavior. For the most part, a cease and desist notice has no real legal weight. However, it achieves a significant function in the legal process. It establishes that the offender has been told about their violation. They can no longer claim that they were unaware of the offense.
You can file a civil lawsuit without writing and sending a cease and desist first. However, there are benefits to issuing the notice. First of all, it can start the negotiations to settle a matter without a court battle. Secondly, it puts the offender on notice. It’s more challenging to sue someone for wrongdoing if they didn’t know they were doing anything wrong.
There are a few important items every cease and desist letter should include. Firstly, the letter explains your rights. Secondly, it details how your rights are being violated. Finally, it includes a command to stop the actions that are causing you harm.
An attorney can help with cease and desist letters
Civil claims like this one can be quite complicated. This is where lawyers can help. Attorneys can write effective cease and desist letters and give you advice about your claim. Hiring an attorney may increase your chance of a favorable outcome. There are numerous dangers involved with writing a cease and desist letter improperly. It is not advisable for you to write one yourself as it could cause you more harm than good. Seek the assistance of a qualified intellectual property attorney. These legal professionals know the best way to write a letter to achieve the desired purpose.
Similarly, if you’ve received a cease and desist letter, it’s best to hire the services of a lawyer before you issue a response. An attorney can make sure that you don’t unintentionally incriminate yourself or create further legal problems. They can also argue for a favorable outcome for you if the need arises.
This is a challenging process, so don’t wait to get an intellectual property attorney working to protect your rights and your best interests. Schedule a consultation with a qualified and credentialed attorney today.