Cease and Desist

A Cease and Desist (C&D) is a formal legal letter demanding that the recipient immediately stop (cease) a specific activity and refrain from doing it again (desist), under threat of legal action. In the creator economy, C&D letters are commonly used to address copyright infringement, trademark violations, defamation, and harassment. While a C&D letter is not a lawsuit, it is often a precursor to litigation and should be taken seriously. Creators who receive a C&D should consult an attorney before responding. Creators can also send C&D letters to protect their own intellectual property from unauthorized use.