What is with the whole “cease and desist” threat?
So I work at a longstanding daily that is on the decline rapidly. We are under new ownership - and the owner is extremely arrogant despite the downturn of the publication that began basically the minute they bought it.
Meanwhile, a new publication has arisen in our town and seems to be growing and doing quite well. It has reporters who actually go and find stories, shake hands with people, and do things right. (I’m burned out, and the grass is definitely greener).
My boss walks around all day saying he’s going to send this new publication a “cease and desist”
I’ve heard this said quite a lot about these types of circumstances, where either a rival publication arises, or a former employee starts a publication of their own - and the former employer threatens to send a cease and desist letter.
My question is: do they have a leg to stand on? Or is this just an intimidation tactic used in the hopes that the new publications and/or outlets will just back down and stop attempting to exist in the same market?
I’m illiterate when it comes to things like these, but frankly I want to try and work at the new publication, because they seem to value their people, while our ownership asks for more out of us each month while simultaneously hamstringing us with staff cuts, no overtime, etc.