A letter of "Cease and Desist" is a written notice that can be sent to individuals, businesses, or organizations. It is usually used to alert the receiver that they are engaging in harassing or infringing activities against you and to request that they cease such unlawful or unwanted action. Cease letters can be sent by lawyers who want to get rid of nuisance lawsuits. They will often send several copies of the letter to different people or entities involved with the case. In general, cease letters must include the following: your name, address, telephone number, email address, company name, and a statement that you represent the party that issued the letter. You can also include a physical or electronic signature of someone authorized to act on behalf of the party sending the letter. Individuals and companies can be sued for harassment and/or illegal file sharing activity even if they have discontinued these activities. A cease-and-desist letter can help reduce your legal liability by putting an end to the alleged misconduct. Some states require that you give recipients 30 days to stop the alleged illegal activity before you can send them a cease-and-desist letter. Other states may have less time limits so check with your state's attorney general's office for more information.