adjective

• 1US Law
  Denoting a legally enforceable order from a court or government agency directing someone to stop engaging in a particular activity.

  ‘they received a cease-and-desist order for conducting unlicensed property management activities’

  More example sentences

  • ‘the photographers would probably be within their rights to ask for a cease-and-desist injunction against the website’
  • ‘Colorado has issued cease-and-desist orders against 43 in the last 15 months.’
  • ‘The Florida Insurance Dept. issued a cease-and-desist order on May 14, shutting down the company.’
  • ‘The RIAA sent a cease-and-desist letter to an ISP asking them to remove certain files that were the copyrighted works of George Harrison.’
  • ‘This summer alone, Montana has issued 15 cease-and-desist orders against medical discount plans hawking coverage for $89.95 a month, no questions asked.’
  • ‘Cease-and-desist orders do little good in states like Florida where regulators lack police power to arrest suspects and seize assets.’

  1. 1.1Denoting a cautionary notice detailing the sender's complaint of alleged wrongdoing by the recipient and threatening legal action if the offending activity is not stopped.
     ‘she sent a cease-and-desist letter last July urging them to stop using the name’
     More example sentences

     • ‘Just as routinely, artists are now the recipients of cease-and-desist letters from trademark owners claiming infringement.’
     • ‘Samara responded by sending each of the retailers a cease-and-desist letter and then filing suit against them for copyright and trademark infringement.’
     • ‘Sending cease-and-desist letters to get something off the internet almost always backfires.’
     • ‘With rulings like this, big name companies will quickly sidestep WIPO in favour of blustering cease-and-desist letters and legal action through the courts.’