---
name: trademark-cease-and-desist-letter
title: Trademark Cease-and-Desist Letter
description: Drafts a U.S. trademark cease-and-desist letter for pre-litigation enforcement. Converts case facts into a demand letter that establishes standing, documents likelihood-of-confusion or dilution exposure, sets cure demands, and preserves Lanham Act remedies. Use when drafting a "trademark cease and desist", "pre-suit trademark demand", "trademark infringement notice", or "notice before litigation".
author: CaseMark
author_url: https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/trademark-cease-and-desist-letter
license: Apache-2.0
version: 0.1.0
execution_mode: open
jurisdiction: us
practice: ip
language: en
---

# Trademark Cease-and-Desist Letter

Draft a formal demand letter requiring immediate trademark-use cessation, corrective action, and preserving all U.S. legal remedies.

## Quick Start

Collect these before drafting:

- [ ] Jurisdiction is U.S.; note intended forum if litigation is possible
- [ ] Sender authority: trademark owner, principal, legal representative
- [ ] **Rights evidence**: registration number/class/dates OR common-law first use, continuity, secondary meaning
- [ ] **Infringement evidence**: 3+ instances with dates, locations, URLs, screenshots, ads, SKUs
- [ ] **Claimed harm**: confusion indicators, reputational damage, diversion, dilution (if famous mark), competitive injury
- [ ] **Requested relief**: cease window, removal scope, inventory destruction, accounting period, proof format
- [ ] Delivery method: email + certified mail / return receipt requested

## Letter Sections

Draft every section below in order.

| # | Section | Content |
|---|---------|---------|
| 1 | **Header** | Sender/recipient identities, date, `Re: Cease and Desist — Trademark Infringement of "[MARK]"`. If counsel represents sender, include firm and bar contact block. |
| 2 | **Rights basis** | *Registered*: mark, USPTO number, filing/registration date, classes, goods/services, channels, territory. *Common-law*: first-use date, continuous use, promotion, goodwill, distinctiveness. |
| 3 | **Infringing acts** | Fact-based timeline; tie each instance to date, location, and evidence exhibit. |
| 4 | **Legal analysis** | Likelihood of confusion under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) [VERIFY]: similarity, relatedness, channels, consumer sophistication, intent, actual confusion. Add dilution under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c) [VERIFY] only if mark qualifies as famous. |
| 5 | **Demands** | Permanent cessation across all channels (packaging, web, social, domains, marketplaces, email, advertising). 10–15 business-day cure window unless user specifies otherwise. |
| 6 | **Remedies warning** | Injunctive relief (15 U.S.C. § 1116 [VERIFY]), damages/profits/fees (15 U.S.C. § 1117(a) [VERIFY]), and reservation of all rights. |
| 7 | **Response mechanics** | Deadline, contact method, required documents: written cure confirmation, removal screenshots, destruction certificate, distributor notices, revenue/unit-sales accounting for infringing period. |

## Drafting Rules

1. Use only verified facts; no vague threats or unsupported conclusions.
2. Tone: firm, professional. No coercive, extortionate, or inflammatory language.
3. **Registered marks**: cite constructive-notice presumptions and class-specific scope [VERIFY].
4. **Unregistered marks**: establish secondary meaning, source identification, geographic continuity.
5. Preemptively rebut apparent defenses (descriptive fair use, nominative use, prior use, geographic limits) with evidence-based reasoning when facts support it.
6. Include governing-law clause; flag cross-border complexity and advise local counsel for foreign use [VERIFY].

## Common Pitfalls

- **Omitting exhibit references** — every infringement allegation must cite specific evidence.
- **Claiming dilution for non-famous marks** — dilution requires fame; omit if not established.
- **Vague demands** — specify exact channels, formats, and proof required for compliance.
- **Missing accounting demand** — always require written revenue/profit accounting for the infringing period.
- **Temporary language** — all demands must be permanent, not temporary.