Definition:

A cease and desist order (C&D) is written to prohibit a person or company from continuing a particular course of action. A cease and desist may be written by a judge or judicial agency, an attorney, or by an individual.

A cease and desist order may be issued in many cases, including:

• Debt collection (to stop a debt collector from continuing contact
  
• Property disputes
  
• Trademark, patent, or copyright infringement
  

• Libel or slander

Also Known As: injunction, restraining order

Examples: Karla's Cakes received a cease and desist order from the attorney representing another business, who said that Karla's trademark was too similar to theirs and that it was violating their trademark protection. The letter demanded that Karla stop using her trademark. In another example, an individual can write to a debt collector telling them to stop harassing behavior.