Letter Re Single Image RM Model Photo

[Blue]

Has anyone had experience with getting a Getty Images demand letter re one photo on your small business website that has people in it and states RM (rights managed) and model release image? The minimum cost to use it per their site is $480 even for only one month and not sure how long it has been on the website in question prior to removal ( removed immediately after the letter). The threat/demand was in the $800 range.  The photo was a small image on the second page of the website shown one time. The business has nothing to do with reselling the image (it's a travel/tourism biz)
A google search did not reveal the image to be anywhere other than on the Getty site at this time.
What are the odds of them suing over this type of single image?
Would Oscar's letter alone without further costs be effective in preventing a lawsuit?

[Robert Krausankas (BuddhaPi)]

all of your questions and concerns have been covered many time on this forum, spend some time getting educated..

[Blue]

I did spend hours going through this site, but most of the single photo demand letters discussed seemed to be perhaps concerning allegely "less unique" ie they could be bought on Getty AND elsewhere for $20 etc , were allover the net, and didn't contain people in them etc That's why I am asking in regard to these particular circumstances.

[Robert Krausankas (BuddhaPi)]

The same would apply, whether it a tree and clouds, or a shot of two people shaking hands..Getty claims they are "rights managed" and we have seen where some of their "royalty free" images suddenly become rights managed.. They rarely if ever send letters for royalty free images, because these images are liekly to be available on other sites.. bottom line is they want your money, and for 1 image will most likely not file suit. so your options are the same as dicussed on the forum.

[Oscar Michelen]

I agree, not really much of difference in this case