Free cease and desist letter template (Word)

A cease and desist letter that describes the conduct, states the basis of the complaint, lists exactly what the recipient must do, sets a deadline and reserves your rights.

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No sign-up. Your answers stay in your browser. Who it is for: Businesses and their lawyers dealing with copying, harassment, unpaid use of work or misleading claims.

Updated 6 October 2026 · Word (.docx) · Free to use and adapt

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What is in the cease and desist letter

Recipient and sender
Description of the conduct
Optional intellectual property claim
List of required actions
Response deadline
Optional reservation of remedies

First page of the free cease and desist letter template for Word

Read the full template

This is the complete wording. [Labels] are filled in from your answers, and highlighted text only appears when it applies; hover over it to see when.

CEASE AND DESIST

[Letter date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

Dear [Recipient salutation],

We write on behalf of [Sender name] regarding [Conduct description].

[Sender name] owns the rights in [Protected work], and this conduct infringes those rights.considers this conduct to be unlawful and harmful to its interests.

We ask that you:

Repeated for each demand

[Demand]

Please confirm in writing by [Response deadline] that you have done so.

If we do not receive a satisfactory response by that date, [Sender name] reserves all of its rights and remedies.

Nothing in this letter waives any of [Sender name]'s rights, all of which are expressly reserved.

Sincerely,

[Signatory name]

[Signatory title]

The questions you answer

Clausery turns the template into a short questionnaire. Optional parts only appear when they apply.

Question	Type	Asked when
Letter date	Date	Always
Recipient name	Short text	Always
Recipient address	Long text	Always
Recipient salutation	Short text	Always
Sender name	Short text	Always
Conduct description	Long text	Always
Is ip claim	Yes / no	Always
Protected work	Short text	If “Is ip claim” is yes
Demands For each item: Demand	Repeating group	Always
Response deadline	Date	Always
Reserve rights	Yes / no	Always
Signatory name	Short text	Always
Signatory title	Short text	Always

How to use it

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Answer the questions
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Questions

Should a lawyer send it?

A letter from a lawyer often carries more weight, and some claims have strict rules. Consider advice before sending, especially for defamation or IP.

Can I demand several things?

Yes. Add each demand as a separate item; they become a bullet list.

Is it really free?

Yes. The download is free, and filling it in with the Clausery app is free too, with unlimited documents. Library templates never count towards a plan limit, and no account or card is needed.

Is my information uploaded anywhere?

No. Clausery runs entirely in your browser. Your answers and the finished document are created and stored on your own device.

Is this legal advice?

No. These are general samples. Laws differ between countries and states, so have the wording reviewed for your situation before you rely on it.

Clauses in this template, explained

Waiver clause

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This template is a general sample and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction; have it reviewed before use.