The laws and regulations regarding legal action surrounding business activities can be complicated and intimidating. One of the most common forms of legal action businesses must contend with is a cease and desist letter. It’s important for corporate executives to understand what a cease and desist letter is and what it means for their company - especially when targeted by a local Dallas-based lawyer.

A cease and desist letter is a legal document sent to an individual or business that requests that the recipient refrain (or “cease”) from a current action, or from committing some future action allegedly prohibited by law. The letter also seeks to “desist” or “directs” the recipient to not continue, or to take a specific action.

This legal document is usually sent from a lawyer representing someone else, and its purpose is to halt or prevent a certain activity – but what activities may be detected by such letters? Usually, cease and desist letters pertain to perceived copyright violations, trademark infringement, libel, or slander.

When individuals or businesses receive a cease and desist letter, it's tempting to ignore it without consulting a lawyer. However, recipients should take the letter seriously. A cease and desist letter typically indicates the sender's intent to initiate a more serious legal action such as a lawsuit if the requests are not fulfilled. Violators who ignore or reject cease and desist letters may face serious legal repercussions.

When an executive is facing a cease and desist letter, their best move is to consult a lawyer with experience in business law and litigation. For Dallas-based businesses, UpCounsel is an excellent resource for finding experienced business lawyers to help. UpCounsel is a nationwide provider of legal support services for businesses around the globe. When choosing a lawyer, businesses can read profiles of and reviews from other clients to get a better idea of their capabilities.

Regardless of what area of the law the recipient of the letter might be involved with, understanding and carefully following the instructions of a cease and desist letter is essential. Ignoring the letter might only make matters worse in the form of additional legal action such as a lawsuit. If you should ever receive a cease and desist letter, it’s important to seek advice from an experienced lawyer immediately as time is usually of the essence in such matters.

Topics:

Cease and Desist Letter,

Legal Document,

Lawsuit