| You may have received an email or a letter | | | | permit them to be weakened or destroyed as an |
| demanding that you turn over your domain name to | | | | identifier of its products. |
| the person who wrote the letter. You may be | | | | On behalf of ABC Company, we hereby demand that |
| wondering what it is and how you can find out how | | | | you immediately cease and desist all uses of the |
| to handle it. Although the letter or email may not | | | | domain name, transfer the registration to ABC |
| contain the words "cease and desist letter" or | | | | Company, and cease and desist all uses of ABC (and |
| "demand letter," the common term used to describe | | | | any term confusingly similar to ABC). In addition, ABC |
| this type of letter is "cease and desist letter." The | | | | demands that you certify that you controls no other |
| letters are also occasionally referred to as "domain | | | | registrations that include the term ABC (or any term |
| name demand letters." | | | | confusingly similar to ABC). |
| An example of a domain name cease and desist | | | | ABC looks forward to your cooperation in resolving |
| letter is provided below so that you will be able to | | | | this matter quickly. Please contact the undersigned no |
| recognize whether your letter is a domain name | | | | later than noon Eastern Time, on [date] to provide |
| cease and desist letter. A brief explanation is also | | | | notice that you agree to comply immediately with |
| included. In order to maintain the confidentiality of the | | | | the demands set forth in this letter. Please note that |
| sender and the recipient, the company on whose | | | | if we cannot promptly resolve this matter on an |
| behalf the letter is being sent is referred to as "ABC | | | | amicable basis, we will advise ABC Company to take |
| Company" and the domain name owner is referred to | | | | all required actions against you that it deems |
| as "Domain Name Registrant." | | | | necessary to protect ABC's rights. You can find |
| [Printed on Stationery Letterhead of Law Firm] | | | | additional information about the risks of domain name |
| Dear Registrant: | | | | infringement at the website |
| Our law firm represents ABC Company and its direct | | | | We are confident that ABC Company would prevail |
| and indirect subsidiaries. ABC Company offers a wide | | | | against you in any legal action. This letter is without |
| range of products and services, including ______, | | | | any waiver of or prejudice to ABC Company s rights, |
| ______ and _____ all under the ABC name and | | | | claims, remedies, or demands, all of which are hereby |
| mark. ABC is the U.S. trademark registration of the | | | | expressly reserved. |
| term ABC. ABC Company has been using the ABC | | | | Sincerely, Signature of Attorney |
| name and mark since at least as early as | | | | The foregoing is an example of a domain name |
| _________. You are presumed to have knowledge | | | | cease and desist letter that was sent by a large law |
| of ABC Company's registered marks and reputation | | | | firm in an attempt to obtain the domain of the |
| because your domain name incorporates the ABC | | | | registrant. If you have received a letter similar to this |
| mark in its entirety and is virtually identical to ABC's | | | | type letter, you now know that you have received a |
| web site address, www. See PNC Fin. Servo Group | | | | domain name cease and desist letter. |
| Inc. V. Unasi Inc., FA058000535925 (NAF Sept. 20, | | | | The allegation made in these types of domain name |
| 2005). | | | | cease and desist letters may be a bluff or it may |
| It has recently come to the attention of ABC | | | | actually have some legal basis. Because there may be |
| Company that you are the registrant of the domain | | | | a substantial risk if you do not give up the domain, it |
| name ABC.net. When this domain name is entered | | | | is advisable that you consult with an attorney for a |
| into an Internet browser, the user is redirected to a | | | | thorough evaluation of the situation. |
| web page that contains a variety of links, the | | | | Domain name cease and desist letters are being sent |
| majority of which relate to the goods and services | | | | out with increasing frequency as the Internet grows |
| that ABC Company provides. Such uses are a | | | | and as the number of available domains diminishes. |
| violation of state and federal trademark and unfair | | | | The letters are often unfounded attempts to |
| competition laws,including, without limitation, the | | | | intimidate the registrant. Other letters do, in fact, |
| Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, 15 | | | | have a legal basis and can be the precursor of a |
| U.S.C. ยง1125( d). Moreover, such uses and | | | | sizable legal dispute. If you have received a domain |
| registration are in violation of federal and state | | | | name cease and desist letter of this nature, your |
| trademark and unfair competition laws, and Public | | | | response (and the consequences of your response) |
| Domain Registry's "Domain Registrant Agreement." | | | | should be carefully considered. A domain name law |
| widespread recognition of ABC Company and ABC | | | | firm domain name law firm that has had extensive |
| marks across the United States. These marks are an | | | | experience with domain name cease and desist |
| invaluable asset of ABC, and cannot and will not | | | | letters is DomainNameLawyers. |