A cease and desist letter puts the recipient on formal written notice that their behaviour is unlawful and must stop. While not legally binding in itself, it creates evidence of notification and is often a prerequisite before court action or injunction applications.

• Creates a paper trail evidencing the infringement
• Often resolves disputes without court action
• Required before applying for an injunction in many cases
• Can be sent by individual, business, or solicitor
• In IP cases, must be accurate — groundless threats carry legal risk

Legal reference: IP Act 2014 (groundless threats); Defamation Act 2013; Protection from Harassment Act 1997