# Cease And Desist > Drafts cease and desist letters for IP infringement, defamation, or contract violations. Use when you need to formally demand someone stop harmful activity. - Skill: `reaperinvest/cease-and-desist` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/cease-and-desist` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/cease-and-desist/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/cease-and-desist --- # Cease and Desist ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Draft a cease and desist letter for trademark or copyright infringement - Demand that someone stop defamatory statements or contract violations - Create a formal written demand before pursuing legal action - Document an infringement or violation for legal records **DO NOT** use this skill for threats you do not intend to follow through on, personal disputes, or situations requiring immediate legal action. A C&D is a formal demand — consider consulting an attorney before sending. This is a drafting tool, not legal advice. --- ## Core Principle A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER IS A PROFESSIONAL DEMAND, NOT A THREAT — IT CLEARLY STATES THE VIOLATION, THE REQUIRED ACTION, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE. --- ## Phase 1: Violation Details ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Your business/name** | "Who is sending this letter?" | No default — must be provided | | **Violator** | "Who is the letter addressed to? (name, business, address if known)" | No default — must be provided | | **Violation type** | "What is the violation? (trademark infringement, copyright infringement, defamation, contract breach, trade secret misuse)" | No default — must be provided | | **Specific conduct** | "Describe the specific infringing or harmful activity." | No default — must be provided | | **Evidence** | "What evidence do you have? (URLs, screenshots, documents)" | No default — list available evidence | | **Desired outcome** | "What do you want them to do? (stop using, remove content, pay damages)" | Cease the activity immediately | **GATE: Do not proceed without the violation type, specific conduct, and evidence.** --- ## Phase 2: Letter Structure ``` ## Cease and Desist Letter [Your Name / Business Name] [Your Address] [Your Email] [Date] VIA [Email / Certified Mail / Both] [Recipient Name] [Recipient Address] Re: Cease and Desist — [Brief Description of Violation] Dear [Recipient Name], I am writing on behalf of [Your Business Name] regarding your [unauthorized use of / infringement of / violation of] our [trademark / copyrighted material / contractual obligations / other right]. ### Statement of Rights [Establish your rights clearly:] [For trademark:] [Business Name] is the owner of the [registered / common law] trademark "[MARK]" [, Registration No. ____,] used in connection with [goods/services] since [date of first use]. [For copyright:] [Business Name] is the owner of the copyrighted work titled "[Title]," [registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, Registration No. ____,] first published on [date]. [For contract breach:] On [date], [your company] and [recipient] entered into [agreement type] which included [relevant provision]. ### Description of Violation It has come to our attention that you are [specific description of the infringing/violating activity]: - [Specific instance 1 — URL, date, location, description] - [Specific instance 2] - [Specific instance 3] [Attach or reference evidence: screenshots, URLs, documents] This conduct constitutes [trademark infringement under the Lanham Act / copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. Section 501 / breach of contract / defamation / other legal basis]. ### Demand I hereby demand that you immediately: 1. **Cease and desist** all [infringing / violating / defamatory] activity described above 2. **[Remove / destroy]** all [infringing materials / copies / publications] within [7-14] days of this letter 3. **Confirm in writing** that you have complied with demands 1 and 2 within [14-30] days of this letter 4. **[Additional demand — e.g., provide an accounting of profits, compensate for damages, issue a correction]** ### Consequences of Non-Compliance If you fail to comply with these demands by [Date — typically 14-30 days from letter date], [Your Business] will pursue all available legal remedies, which may include: - Filing a lawsuit for [trademark/copyright infringement / breach of contract / defamation] - Seeking injunctive relief - Seeking monetary damages, including [statutory damages / compensatory damages / attorney fees] - Filing a [DMCA takedown / complaint with relevant authority] ### Reservation of Rights This letter does not constitute a waiver of any rights or remedies available to [Your Business], all of which are expressly reserved. Nothing in this letter should be construed as a complete statement of the facts or law related to this matter. I trust this matter can be resolved without further action. Please direct your response to [your contact information] by [response deadline]. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Business Name] ``` --- ## Phase 3: Customize by Violation Type ### For Copyright Infringement (DMCA) - Reference the specific copyrighted work and registration if available - Include URLs where the infringing content appears - Note that you may also file DMCA takedowns with hosting providers ### For Trademark Infringement - Reference your trademark registration number and classes - Describe the likelihood of confusion - Demand they stop using the mark and destroy infringing materials ### For Contract Breach - Quote the specific contract provision being violated - Reference the agreement date and parties - Demand cure within the contractual cure period ### For Defamation - Identify the specific false statements - Explain how the statements are false - Demand retraction and removal --- ## Phase 4: Sending and Documentation ``` ## Pre-Send Checklist - [ ] All facts are accurate and verifiable - [ ] Evidence is documented (screenshots with dates, URLs saved) - [ ] Legal basis for the claim is correct - [ ] Demands are specific and achievable - [ ] Response deadline is reasonable (14-30 days) - [ ] Letter reviewed by an attorney (recommended for significant claims) - [ ] Tone is professional — not emotional, threatening, or personal ## Sending Method - [ ] Send via certified mail with return receipt (creates delivery proof) - [ ] Send via email with read receipt (faster, less formal) - [ ] Keep copies of the letter and all evidence - [ ] Calendar the response deadline for follow-up ## If They Do Not Respond - Send a follow-up reminder 5 days before the deadline - After the deadline: consult an attorney about next steps - Options: DMCA takedown, formal complaint, or litigation ``` --- ## Example: Someone Copying Your Course Content **Situation:** A competitor copied 3 modules of your online course and is selling them under their own brand. **Letter excerpt:** "It has come to our attention that your website [URL] is offering educational content that is substantially similar to copyrighted course modules owned by [Your Business], including [Module 1 Title], [Module 2 Title], and [Module 3 Title]. We have documented these similarities with side-by-side comparisons [attached]. We demand that you remove all infringing content within 14 days and confirm removal in writing." --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Empty threats** — do not threaten legal action you are unwilling or unable to take. It damages credibility. - **Emotional or aggressive tone** — keep it professional. Anger weakens the letter and can undermine your position. - **Vague demands** — "stop copying us" is not specific. State exactly what must be removed, destroyed, or changed. - **No evidence** — document everything before sending. Screenshots, URLs, dates, and comparisons strengthen your position. - **Sending without legal review for major claims** — for significant infringement or high-stakes disputes, have an attorney review or send the letter. --- ## Recovery - **Recipient ignores the letter:** Follow up once, then escalate to legal action or DMCA takedowns. Document the non-response. - **Recipient responds with counterclaims:** Consult an attorney before responding. Do not engage in a back-and-forth without legal guidance. - **Recipient complies partially:** Acknowledge what they did, reiterate what remains unresolved, and set a new deadline. - **You are not sure if you have a valid claim:** Consult an attorney before sending. A baseless C&D can expose you to liability.