Claude Prompt: Pre-Litigation Demand Letter + IP Cease & Desist
Two-in-one demand letter prompt: a pre-litigation demand and an IP cease and desist. Firm, factual, and written like a judge will read it someday.
The Prompt
Pre-Litigation Demand Letter
Draft a pre-litigation demand letter on behalf of [CLIENT NAME] to [RECIPIENT NAME/COMPANY].
FACTS:
- [DESCRIBE THE UNDERLYING DISPUTE]
- [KEY DATES AND EVENTS]
- [DAMAGES OR HARM SUFFERED]
- [PRIOR COMMUNICATIONS OR ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE]
LEGAL BASIS:
- [PRIMARY CLAIMS, e.g., breach of contract, negligence]
- [APPLICABLE LAW/JURISDICTION]
DEMANDED RELIEF:
- [SPECIFIC AMOUNT OR ACTION DEMANDED]
- [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE, e.g., 30 days]
The letter should:
1. State the facts clearly and accurately (do not embellish)
2. Identify the legal claims with sufficient specificity
3. Articulate the damages with supporting detail
4. State the demand clearly with a specific deadline
5. Reference willingness to pursue litigation if necessary, without being threatening or unprofessional
6. Include a reservation of rights
Tone: Firm, professional, and factual. This letter may be read by a judge someday. It should demonstrate reasonableness while making clear we are serious about pursuing our client's rights.
Prompt: Intellectual Property Cease and Desist
Draft a cease and desist letter for [TYPE OF IP: trademark/copyright/patent/trade secret] infringement.
OUR CLIENT'S IP:
- [DESCRIBE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY]
- [REGISTRATION NUMBERS IF APPLICABLE]
- [DATE OF FIRST USE/REGISTRATION]
INFRINGING ACTIVITY:
- [DESCRIBE THE INFRINGING CONDUCT]
- [WHERE THE INFRINGEMENT IS OCCURRING]
- [WHEN WE BECAME AWARE]
- [EVIDENCE WE HAVE]
DEMANDED ACTIONS:
- [SPECIFIC ACTIONS REQUIRED, e.g., stop using mark, remove content, provide accounting]
- [DEADLINE]
Include references to applicable federal and state IP statutes. Mention the availability of statutory damages and attorney fees where applicable. Maintain a professional tone that leaves room for amicable resolution while making the strength of our position clear.Variables (11)
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{client_name}} | Client Name | Acme Corp. |
| {{recipient_name}} | Recipient Name or Company | John Doe |
| {{underlying_dispute}} | Underlying Dispute | Unpaid invoice |
| {{key_dates_and_events}} | Key Dates and Events | 2025-08-12... |
| {{damages_or_harm}} | Damages or Harm Suffered | $45,000 loss |
| {{primary_claims}} | Primary Legal Claims | Breach |
| {{applicable_law}} | Applicable Law / Jurisdiction | California |
| {{ip_type}} | IP Type (if cease and desist) | trademark |
| {{registration_numbers}} | Registration Numbers (if applicable) | Reg. 5,432,109 |
| {{infringing_conduct}} | Infringing Conduct | Sells fakes |
| {{deadline}} | Response Deadline | 30 days |
Expected Output
A judge-ready demand letter (or IP cease and desist variant) with facts, legal basis, demanded relief, deadline, and reservation of rights.
Usage Notes
Best run on Claude Sonnet 4.5+ for tone control. Always verify statutory citations in Westlaw or LexisNexis before sending — Claude can occasionally cite plausible-sounding but incorrect provisions. For IP cease-and-desists, confirm the exact registration number and class with the USPTO.
Originally featured in: Claude AI for Lawyers: Best Prompts, Use Cases & Tips (2026)
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