How to Respond to an Amazon Cease and Desist Letter
Introduction
If you’re an Amazon seller who just received a Cease and Desist (C&D) letter, your first thought is likely:
“Will this lead to a suspension?”
These letters often feel like legal threats—and sometimes they are. Whether sent by a brand or their legal team, a C&D letter is typically the first move in an effort to remove your listing or block your account. Sellers come to AmazonSellersLawyer.com every week asking what to do next.
This post provides step-by-step guidance on how to handle a cease and desist letter so you can protect your business and avoid further escalation.
What Is a Cease and Desist Letter on Amazon?
A cease and desist letter is a formal demand that you stop an action the sender claims is unlawful—such as selling their brand, using protected images, or violating a trademark.
It’s not a lawsuit. But on Amazon, it’s often followed by:
Intellectual property complaints
ASIN removals
Account suspensions
Requests for arbitration
At AmazonSellersLawyer.com, we’ve seen sellers lose thousands in revenue after ignoring or mishandling these letters.
Will a C&D Letter Lead to Account Suspension?
It might. Amazon doesn’t investigate whether the claims are accurate before taking action. If the sender files a complaint, your listing could be removed or your entire account suspended.
Responding quickly and professionally can reduce the chance of Amazon acting on the claim.
Should You Ignore a Cease and Desist Letter?
No—ignoring a C&D letter is a mistake. Even if you think the claim is weak, doing nothing can result in:
Permanent ASIN deactivation
Loss of the Buy Box
A formal intellectual property complaint
An escalation to litigation or arbitration
Frozen funds in your seller account
We advise sellers to treat every C&D seriously, even if it turns out to be baseless.
How to Respond to a Cease and Desist on Amazon
Step 1: Understand the Claims
Start by reviewing the letter for:
The name of the brand or their legal representative
The listings or ASINs they’re targeting
The IP rights allegedly being violated
A deadline or requested action
This gives you a clear view of what they’re accusing you of and what they expect.
Step 2: Collect Supporting Documents
To prepare a response or a defense, gather:
Invoices proving legitimate sourcing
Distribution or authorization letters (if you have them)
Product photos
Screenshots of your listings
Communications with suppliers or brands
Organize these documents so you can defend your listing if needed.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Position
Are you reselling genuine products?
Did you source them from an authorized distributor?
Do your listings contain any brand-owned text or images?
If you’re protected under the first-sale doctrine, the law may allow you to resell the goods—especially if you haven’t altered them and they’re genuine.
This is where AmazonSellersLawyer.com can help assess your legal position quickly.
Step 4: Respond Professionally
Depending on the case, you may:
Comply by removing the listing (if the claim is valid or not worth fighting)
Refute the claim with documentation
Request a retraction if they’ve already submitted a complaint to Amazon
Escalate with legal help if the brand refuses to back down
Your response should be calm, fact-based, and include evidence.
Sample Response to an Amazon Cease and Desist Letter
Dear [Sender’s Name],
We received your notice concerning ASIN [XYZ]. We source our inventory through legal channels and retain all supporting documentation.
Based on our review, we believe our listings comply with applicable laws and Amazon’s policies. We’re open to resolving this matter amicably and would be happy to share documentation for your review.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Business Name]
[Your Contact Email]
How to Send a Cease and Desist Letter on Amazon
If you’re a private label brand or have a registered trademark, and someone is hijacking your listing or using your IP:
You can send a cease and desist letter to the seller directly
Report the violation using Amazon’s Brand Registry tools
File a formal IP complaint if the seller doesn’t comply
Contact AmazonSellersLawyer.com if further legal action is needed
Proactive enforcement protects your brand’s pricing, reviews, and listing content.
Final Thoughts
C&D letters are serious. Whether you receive one or need to send one, knowing how to act can make all the difference in keeping your Amazon business running smoothly.
We help sellers and brands handle cease and desist issues every day. Visit AmazonSellersLawyer.com to speak with a team that understands both Amazon and legal compliance—without delay.