Cease And Desist Order Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Cease And Desist Order, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Cease And Desist Order?

(n) Cease and Desist Order is the court order prohibiting or stopping certain actions, which the court or any other authority has found harmful or against the law. Such orders may be issued as a permanent one or a temporary one until the disposal of the matter permanently. Such orders are issued when the activity is expected to cause irreparable damage

History and Meaning of Cease And Desist Order

A Cease and Desist Order is a court order usually issued to prohibit an activity that has been found to be harmful or illegal. The order can be temporary, pending the disposal of the matter permanently, or it may be permanent. The purpose of the order is to stop the activity before it causes irreparable harm, be it physical or financial. A Cease and Desist Order is typically issued after an investigation has been conducted, and the activity has been found to be in violation of the law or regulation.

Examples of Cease And Desist Order

  • A small business owner receives a Cease and Desist Order from a larger corporation for using their trademarked name.

  • A landlord receives a Cease and Desist Order from the city for renting out an unlicensed property.

  • A financial advisor receives a Cease and Desist Order from the Securities and Exchange Commission for selling unregistered securities.

  • A website owner receives a Cease and Desist Order from a photographer for using their copyrighted images without permission.

Legal Terms Similar to Cease And Desist Order

  • Injunction: An order issued by a court that requires a person or entity to stop a specific activity.

  • Restraining Order: An order issued by a court that prohibits a person from engaging in a specific behavior.

  • Subpoena: A legal order that requires a person to appear in court or produce documents.