Trademark Cease-and-Desist Letter

Trademark Cease-and-Desist Letter

Pre-suit notice demanding cessation of alleged trademark infringement and evidence preservation.

Quick Start

Collect before drafting:

1. Owner — legal name, entity type, signatory, counsel contact
2. Mark — exact mark, USPTO registration number/date/class (if any), first-use date
3. Scope — goods/services, channels of trade, geography
4. Infringement evidence — dated screenshots, URLs, product images, ads, packaging
5. Confusion evidence — actual confusion incidents, customer overlap, goods similarity
6. Demands — stop use, remove content, destroy inventory, transfer domains/handles, accounting
7. Deadline — exact calendar date, delivery method, proof-of-receipt plan

Workflow

1. Gather Inputs

2. Analyze Likelihood of Confusion

Address only applicable factors:

3. Select Demands

4. Draft Letter

Structure the letter in this order:

1. Representation & purpose — identify client, state formal notice
2. Rights in the mark — registered: USPTO Reg. No., date, classes, Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.); unregistered: first-use date, geography, distinctiveness evidence
3. Infringing use — identify infringing mark, products/services/platforms, dates observed; assert likelihood of confusion as to source, sponsorship, or affiliation
4. Likelihood-of-confusion analysis — concise factor-based summary tied to evidence
5. Demands — numbered list of specific actions required
6. Deadline — exact compliance date with written confirmation required
7. Remedies notice — injunctive relief, damages, disgorgement under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a)
8. Reservation of rights — no license or waiver granted
9. Response instructions — where to send response, what to include
10. Enclosures — exhibit list

Pitfalls

• Use only verified facts; every allegation must have a supporting exhibit.
• Firm and professional tone only — no threats beyond civil remedies.
• Never claim willfulness without supporting facts (e.g., prior notice).
• Use exact calendar dates for deadlines, not "within X days."
• If including settlement terms, frame under FRE 408 and keep separate from demands.
• Tailor to jurisdiction — reference applicable state unfair-competition statutes.
• Address defenses only when evidence supports rebuttal.