Copyright Infringement Cease and Desist Letter — Free Template
If someone is copying your photos, writing, music, video, artwork or software without permission, a copyright infringement cease and desist letter tells them to stop and remove it. It identifies your original work, points to where it is being used, and sets a deadline to take it down.
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Free to preview[Your full name or business name]
[Your mailing address]
October 15, 2026
[Who the letter is to]
Re: Cease and desist — Unauthorized use of my photos, writing or other content
Dear [Who the letter is to],
I am writing to formally demand that you stop the conduct described below. Since approximately [When the conduct started (approximately)], you have engaged in the following: Unauthorized use of my photos, writing or other content.
[What they have been doing]
This conduct is unwelcome and unauthorized, and it must stop immediately. I specifically ask that you:
[What you want them to do]
Please confirm in writing, within 10 days of the date of this letter (by October 25, 2026), that you have done so and that the conduct will not continue.
I have kept records of this conduct, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of delivery. If the conduct continues or I do not receive your written confirmation by that date, I intend to pursue the remedies available to me, which may include reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities or filing a claim in court.
I would prefer to resolve this without further action. Please direct any response to me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your full name or business name]
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Identify your work and the copies
List each original work, when you created or first published it, and where the copy appears, including exact URLs, product listings or page numbers. If you have the original files, drafts or a registration certificate, mention that you have them.
In the United States, you generally own the copyright in original work you create as soon as it is fixed in a tangible form, such as a photo file or a written draft. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is not needed to own the copyright, but it is generally required before you can file an infringement lawsuit over a U.S. work.
Decide what you want
Most people simply want the content removed and a promise that it will not be used again. Others are open to a license, meaning the user pays to keep using it, or to credit and a link. Be clear about which you want so the recipient knows how to resolve it.
If you are open to a paid license, you can say so in the demands field and state your fee. Keep the offer reasonable and in writing.
Use platform takedowns alongside your letter
If your work is posted on a website, marketplace or social platform, you can also send a takedown notice through that service's copyright reporting process under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Platforms often remove infringing content quickly once they receive a complete notice.
A letter to the person and a notice to the platform work well together: the letter addresses the person directly, and the takedown removes the copy even if they ignore you.
What to do, step by step
Write down what happened
List the dates, places and messages involved before you start. Save screenshots, URLs, voicemails and copies of anything that shows the conduct.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Describe the conduct factually and say exactly what you want the other person to do — vague demands are easy to ignore.
Keep the tone calm and firm
Avoid insults, exaggeration and threats you don't intend to carry out. A measured letter is more persuasive and looks better if it is ever shown to a judge.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail it by certified mail with return receipt, and email a copy if you have an address. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.
Decide on your next step
If the deadline passes and the conduct continues, keep documenting it. Depending on the situation, that may mean a police report, a protective order, a takedown notice or a claim in court.
What if they ignore your cease and desist letter?
A cease and desist letter is not a court order, so it can't force anyone to stop on its own. What it does is put the other person on clear, dated notice — which matters later, because continuing after a written warning is often treated as deliberate.
Your next step depends on the conduct. Ongoing harassment or threats can be reported to the police, and many courts offer civil protection or anti-harassment orders that people can request without legal help. For copied photos or writing, most websites and hosting companies have a copyright takedown process. Defamation, trademark and business disputes are usually resolved in civil court, where a judge can award damages or order the conduct to stop.
Whatever you do next, keep every message and record. Your letter, your proof of mailing and a log of what happened afterward are the core of any complaint or claim.
Example copyright infringement cease and desist letter
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Dana Whitfield
742 Cedar Lane, Riverton, OH 44101
October 5, 2026
Lakeside Home Goods
500 Market St, Suite 4, Riverton, OH 44102
Re: Cease and desist — Unauthorized use of my photos, writing or other content
Dear Lakeside Home Goods,
I am writing to formally demand that you stop the conduct described below. Since approximately July 15, 2026, you have engaged in the following: Unauthorized use of my photos, writing or other content.
Your website's blog has republished four articles that I wrote and first published on my own site, word for word, without permission or credit. The copies appear at four pages on your site, and my originals were published between January and April 2026.
This conduct is unwelcome and unauthorized, and it must stop immediately. I specifically ask that you:
Remove all of my photographs from your website, online listings and social media accounts, and confirm in writing that you have done so and will not use them again.
Please confirm in writing, within 10 days of the date of this letter (by October 15, 2026), that you have done so and that the conduct will not continue.
I have kept records of this conduct, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of delivery. If the conduct continues or I do not receive your written confirmation by that date, I intend to pursue the remedies available to me, which may include reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities or filing a claim in court.
I would prefer to resolve this without further action. Please direct any response to me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Dana Whitfield
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my copyright before sending this letter?
No. You can send a cease and desist letter for work you created without registering it. Registration matters mainly if you later decide to sue over a U.S. work, and registering earlier can affect what you may recover, so consider registering important work.
What if they claim fair use?
Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted work for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting or education, depending on several factors. Copying an entire photo or article to promote a business is less likely to qualify. If they raise fair use, ask them to explain their basis in writing.
Can I use this for my business's content?
Yes. Enter the business name as the sender. If an employee created the work as part of their job, the business usually owns the copyright, and the letter should come from the business.
Is a cease and desist letter legally binding?
No. It is a formal written demand, not a court order, so the recipient isn't legally required to obey it. It still matters: it shows you asked clearly, gives the person a chance to stop, and creates evidence that any later conduct was knowing rather than accidental.
Can I write a cease and desist letter myself?
Yes. Anyone can send one — there's no special form or license needed. What makes it effective is being specific: identify the conduct, the dates, what you want stopped, and a deadline. Many people send their own letter first and seek legal help only if the conduct continues.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.