Receiving a cease and desist letter from Stobbs can be concerning, particularly when it alleges that your business has infringed another party’s intellectual property (IP) rights.

You may feel the need to respond immediately, choose to ignore the correspondence, or assume that the allegations must be valid. However, taking any action before fully understanding the situation may not be in your best interests.

Before responding, it is important to establish what is being alleged, which intellectual property rights are being asserted and what options are open to you. Our friendly and approachable IP lawyers can help you understand the correspondence, assess your position and determine the most appropriate next steps.

In this guide, our UK IP team explores why you may have received a letter from Stobbs, what you should consider before responding, and how specialist intellectual property advice can help you manage the situation.

A stressed out female entrepreneur opening a letter from Stobbs.

Who Are Stobbs?

Stobbs is a specialist intellectual property firm that focuses on brands and intangible assets rather than patents. Established in 2013 and based near Cambridge, it has built a substantial team advising well-known consumer and technology brands.

The firm’s work centres on trade marks, brand strategy, licensing, dispute resolution, anti-counterfeiting and online brand enforcement. Because of this focus, a letter from Stobbs will most often concern the use of a brand name, logo or other trade mark rather than a patent.

It’s important to remember that the letter has been sent on behalf of a rights holder. Receiving one does not automatically mean you have infringed their rights, but it does mean the allegation should be taken seriously.

Why Have I Received a Letter from Stobbs?

There are several reasons why Stobbs may contact an individual or business, often in connection with a potential intellectual property dispute. The allegations may involve:

Depending on the nature of the dispute, the correspondence may ask you to stop using a particular name, trade mark or logo, withdraw certain products from sale, amend your branding, transfer a domain name, provide information about your business activities, or enter into legal undertakings.

The specific action being requested will vary from case to case and will depend on the rights being asserted, the nature of the alleged infringement and the wider circumstances surrounding the dispute.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Letter from Stobbs?

Receiving legal correspondence can be worrying, but it is important to consider the situation carefully before responding or agreeing to anything. As a first step, you should:

  • Read the letter thoroughly and make sure you understand the allegations being made.
  • Establish which intellectual property rights the other party is relying upon.
  • Keep copies of the letter and any other relevant correspondence or documentation.
  • Avoid admitting liability, accepting demands or making commitments until you have obtained professional advice.
  • Seek guidance from an experienced intellectual property professional at Panoramix IP.

Every intellectual property dispute has its own circumstances, and the claims made in a letter should be considered carefully. Some allegations may be supported by enforceable rights, while others may be open to challenge or provide scope for negotiation. Assessing the strength of the claim and understanding your own position can help you decide how best to respond and work towards a commercially sensible resolution.

Should You Ignore a Letter from Stobbs?

A letter from Stobbs should be taken seriously and should not be left unanswered.

Failing to engage with correspondence concerning intellectual property rights could lead to the dispute progressing further. If the issue remains unresolved, the rights holder may decide to consider formal legal proceedings.

However, receiving such a letter does not automatically mean that the matter will end up in court. Many intellectual property disputes are settled through communication and negotiation before litigation becomes necessary. Obtaining specialist advice and responding in a considered way can help you explore possible solutions, protect your position and reduce the risk of unnecessary costs and disruption to your business.

How To Respond To a Cease and Desist Letter From Stobbs

If you have received a letter from Stobbs, or another intellectual property law firm, seeking independent advice from an IP specialist at Panoramix IP can help you understand the allegations, evaluate your legal position and consider the wider commercial implications before deciding how to proceed.

At Panoramix IP, our team includes UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, European Trade Mark Attorneys, US Trade Mark Attorneys, UK Chartered Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorneys and dual-qualified IP solicitors. We regularly support businesses dealing with allegations of intellectual property infringement, providing straightforward, practical advice that takes both legal and commercial considerations into account.

Depending on the circumstances of your dispute, we can:

  • Analyse the allegations and correspondence you have received.
  • Consider the validity and strength of the intellectual property rights being asserted.
  • Advise on whether infringement may have taken place.
  • Draft or review a response on your behalf.
  • Manage communications and negotiations with the other party.
  • Explore practical options for resolving the dispute efficiently and protecting your commercial interests.

Our role is not simply to advise you on what the law says. We take the time to understand your business, priorities and the potential impact of the dispute, helping you make informed decisions and work towards the most appropriate outcome.

If you would like our support in responding to a cease and desist letter, or would like our representation, please get in touch with our team today. You can do so by calling us on 01522 712433, emailing info@panoramixip.co.uk, or completing the contact form.