What happens if you don't pay?

[Arktyp]

I received a getty letter about 1.5 yrs ago for images used in a portfolio design piece that we displayed on our website. The images were licensed by the client that we did the work for and were show as part of the design composites on our website. They are coming after us because we don't have the license, even tho the client did. They refuse to hear us out and we removed the images from our website immediately, and yet they are still demanding $3000. Such a great way to support the creative industry Getty!

3k is a good chunk of money and I'd rather not pay if as I think this is really unfair. Would love to hear your thoughts on this case? Are we in the wrong for showing our design work w/o having a license for those images? Even tho the client the work was done for did license them? Also, what happens if we don't pay? How far will Getty take this?

I look forward to your responses.

[Oscar Michelen]

Periodically, Getty claims it will be suing everybody but I dont know how true that it is.  While they may indeed file selective lawsuits against some people to "send a message" I don't think they will blanketly sue all letter recipients.  Some people choose to ignore it but if you read through the forum posts you will see how the claim escalates.  I never recommend ignoring a legal claim against a client.